B’nai Sholom Offers Yiddish Classes for Young and Old

B’nai Sholom Reform Congregation in Albany is offering two courses for those who want to learn about and speak Yiddish.

Classes for beginners and advanced beginners will be held Wednesday evenings starting March 20. All classes are held at B’nai Sholom Reform Congregation, 420 Whitehall Road, Albany.

The courses introduce students to the Yiddish language by using both a textbook with accompanying instructional media and the teacher’s own experiences as a Yiddish speaker. They are geared to two levels of Yiddish proficiency: the advanced beginner’s class, a continuation of a class offered earlier this year, is for those who have learned to read and write some Yiddish; for the beginning class, students should be able to read and write the Hebrew alphabet.

Both courses are taught by Rachel Weitz, an Israeli native speaker of Hebrew and Yiddish who teaches both languages in the Capital Region. Weitz holds a master’s degree in Jewish education and a bachelor’s degree in modern Middle East history and Arabic language and literature.

Following is the schedule of the courses’ days and times:

• Advanced Beginner Yiddish – starting March 20, eight Wednesdays from 6:30 p.m. until

7:30 p.m.;

• Beginning Yiddish – starting March 20, eight Wednesdays from 7:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.

Both courses are open to the public. Fee for each is $55 plus cost of required textbook and CDs or tapes. Registration is required. Students may register for a class at any time. The required textbook may be purchased after the first day of class.

For more information, or to register for a course, visit www.bnaisholom.albany.ny.us or contact the B’nai Sholom office at office@bnaisholom.albany.ny.us or phone 518-482-5283.

Founded in 1971, B’nai Sholom Reform Congregation in Albany is a home for contemporary Reform Judaism in the Capital Region, creating a vibrant Jewish present that links ancient traditions with the promise of the future. More than 160 diverse households from six counties seek religious, educational and social fulfillment at B’nai Sholom.