B’nai Sholom Reform Congregation in Albany offers two courses for those who want to learn about and speak Yiddish.
Classes in beginning and intermediate Yiddish will be offered Wednesday evenings starting December 3. All sessions are held at B’nai Sholom Reform Congregation, 420 Whitehall Road, Albany.
The courses present the Yiddish language 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 intermediate class is for those who have learned to read and write some Yiddish and want to further their skill; 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:
• Intermediate Yiddish – starting December 3, eight Wednesdays from 6:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.
• Beginning Yiddish – starting December 3, eight Wednesdays from 7:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.
• No classes December 24 or December 31.
Both courses are open to the public. Fee for each is $55 plus cost of required textbook and CDs or tapes. Registration is required. The required textbook may be purchased after the first day of class.
To register for a course, 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 120 diverse households from six counties seek religious, educational and social fulfillment at B’nai Sholom.