A Crash Course in Yiddish Language and Literature

Yiddish is both an ancient and modern language, with roots that go back 1,000 years and the most widely spoken Jewish language in history (others include Hebrew, Aramaic, Ladino, and Judeo-Arabic). Even after the loss of Yiddish speaking communities in Eastern Europe from World War II, Yiddish endured, and there is now a renewed interest in learning the language and reading the literature, supported by the creation and growth of Yiddish institutions such as the Yiddish Book Center in Amherst, Massachusetts..

In this presentation, Jessica Kirzane will provide an historical overview of Yiddish language and literature and then we will read some Yiddish poetry in translation together in celebration of National Poetry Month. 

Jessica Kirzane is Associate Instructional Professor in Yiddish in the Department of Germanic Studies at the University of Chicago. Dr. Kirzane also translates works of Yiddish literature into English and is the editor-in-chief of “In geveb: A Journal of Yiddish Studies.” Jessica Kirzane’s work as a literary translator and scholar also expands the canon of Yiddish literature to include female-identifying voices and popular-oriented writing as central to the story of modern Yiddish writing.  

You may watch the virtual presentation in person in WPL's Small Meeting Room or remotely on your own device. Registration is required.

For more information about the Between Two Worlds Program please visit the Events section of our library website. This program is presented as part of the Yiddish Book Center’s Public Libraries Program, in partnership with the ALA and funded by the Lilly Endowment, Inc.