fall 2025 Yiddish Classes
Chicago YIVO Society is pleased to offer four levels of Yiddish language classes. Courses run 12 weeks. Tuition is $240 (or a reduced rate of $160.) Class descriptions are below, and you can register here.
Zoom classes require stable internet access and facility with online technology. All classes require textbooks as noted.
FIRST YEAR
Tuesdays
6:15pm - 7:45pm
With a couple Sundays 1:30-3:00
IN PERSON at the Harold Washington Chicago Public Library 400 S State St.
Tuesdays September 2, 9, 16
Sunday September 21
Tuesday September 30
Sunday October 12
Tuesdays October 21, 28
Tuessdays November 4, 11, 18, 25
This is a fun, serious, and dynamic group course using the recently published In Eynem textbook, which encourages conversation, self-expression, and contemporary usage. We will start from scratch, learning the letters and foundational reading, writing, and conversation skills.
Chana Toth-Sewell is a PhD student in Slavic Languages and Literatures. She has taught Yiddish at the University of Chicago and participated in the Yiddish Book Center's Pedagogy Fellowship and the Yiddish in Berlin Lerer Seminar. She has also studied Yiddish at the Yiddish Book Center's Steiner Summer Yiddish Program and the YIVO Intensive Summer Program.
SECOND YEAR
Tuesdays
6:15pm - 7:45pm
With a couple Sundays 1:30-3:00
IN PERSON at the Harold Washington Chicago Public Library 400 S State St.
Tuesdays September 2, 9, 16
Sunday September 21
Tuesday September 30
Sunday October 12
Tuesdays October 21, 28
Tuessdays November 4, 11, 18, 25
This is a fun, serious, and dynamic group course using the newly published In Eynem textbook, which encourages conversation, self-expression, and contemporary usage. We will start with a review of chapter 5, with an expectation that students have good control of reading, writing, present tense verb conjugations, and foundational vocabulary.
Anye Koyfmentsh has been learning Yiddish for 25 years, and teaching for 10. She trained as a Yiddish teacher through the Yiddish Book Center, and as a Talmud teacher through Svara. As an enthusiastic member of a vibrant Yiddish speaking community, she is eager to include more people so they can make their own friendships, art, and relationships with Yiddish. She translated the Yiddish novel Your Comrade, Avreml Broide, which was released in November, 2024.
Third year
Thursdays
6:30pm - 8:00pm CST
Virtual on Zoom
September 4, 11, 25
October 9, 16, 23, 30
November 6, 13, 20
December 4, 11
This is a fun, serious, and dynamic group course using the newly published In Eynem textbook, which encourages conversation, self-expression, and contemporary usage. We will start with a review of chapter 11, with an expectation that students have developing sophistication in reading, writing, present tense verb/converb conjugations, word order, negation, and the accusative case. We will read more literature and develop writing skills.
Anye Koyfmentsh has been learning Yiddish for 25 years, and teaching for 10. She trained as a Yiddish teacher through the Yiddish Book Center, and as a Talmud teacher through Svara. As an enthusiastic member of a vibrant Yiddish speaking community, she is eager to include more people so they can make their own friendships, art, and relationships with Yiddish. She translated the Yiddish novel Your Comrade, Avreml Broide, which was released in November, 2024.
Intermediate
Wednesdays
6:30pm - 8:00pm CST
Virtual on Zoom
September 3, 10, 17
October 8, 15, 22, 29
November 5, 12, 19
December 3, 10
This is a continuation of the previous term of Intermediate Yiddish, but will accept new students. We will pick up with Chapter 17 in Yiddish: An Introduction to the Language, Literature and Culture, Volume II. We will also continue reading Motl Peyse dem Khazns, by Sholem Aleykhem
Benna grew up speaking Yiddish at home with her mother. She has studied Yiddish at the YIVO Intensive Yiddish Summer Program and, most recently, at the Maison de la Culture Yiddish in Paris. She has attended the annual Yugntruf Yidish Vokh every year since she was two, and has been teaching for YIVO Chicago for 6 years.
Tuition
Tuition rates for all courses are below. You will receive a link to make a payment at the time you complete registration, or you can pay here.
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12 week term
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$240 full tuition
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$160 reduced tuition
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We also offer the Khane-Faygl Turtletaub Memorial Scholarship to cover full tuition for one student in need every semester. To apply for the scholarship, please email yiddishchicago@gmail.com
No student is turned away for inability to pay, to arrange an alternative payment plan please write to us at yiddishchicago@gmail.com.
Course Materials
Course materials are referenced in class descriptions. An English-Yiddish/Yiddish-English dictionary is always strongly recommended, but not required. A great option is the Comprehensive English-Yiddish Dictionary edited by Gitl Schaechter-Vishwanath and Paul Glaser
together with the Comprehensive Yiddish-English Dictionary edited by Solon Beinfeld and Harry Bochner.
Please be in touch with the instructors for guidance about prerequisites and how to prepare to join a class.