Language

0 Language Politics

In a time of tariffs and uncertainty, this is the Jewish word we need to soothe our minds and souls

Aviya Kushner in Forward · 3 Apr

As the United States announces significant tariffs, leading to economic uncertainty, Aviya Kushner reflects on the linguistic and cultural implications of such policies.

0 Politics Language

Brad Lander just cursed Andrew Cuomo in Yiddish

Grace Gilson in JTA · 2 Apr

In a heated political exchange in New York City, City Comptroller Brad Lander retorted to Andrew Cuomo's suggestion that he was contributing to antisemitism by cursing him in Yiddish.

0 Culture Language

Yiddish fans in Berlin launch a Yiddish open mic series

Luise Fakler in Forward · 1 Apr

In Berlin, a novel initiative called "Nu? Yiddish in All Art Forms" has emerged as the city's first Yiddish open mic night.

0 Culture Language

Yiddish in Texas: An unexpected language is still riding the bronco

Jake Schneider in Forward · 25 Mar

Yiddish has a long-standing and vibrant history in Texas, despite the state's popularly perceived linguistic identity.

0 Culture Language

Roundtable talk about future of Yiddish with top-notch speakers

Forverts Staff in Forward · 25 Mar

An upcoming event at the Baruch Performing Arts Center in Manhattan will see six leading Yiddish studies experts engaging in a discussion about the future of the Yiddish language, followed by a klezmer concert.

0 Communities Language

Five cities now have regular meet-ups in Yiddish

Rukhl Schaechter in Forward · 23 Mar

Yugntruf has launched an initiative called Farbreng to create in-person gatherings for Yiddish speakers in cities like Boston, Chicago, Michigan, Montreal, and Toronto.

0 Politics Language

Love Trump or hate him, all Jews should object to his appropriation of ‘Shalom’

Sarah Bunin Benor in JTA · 14 Mar

Sarah Bunin Benor critiques Donald Trump's misuse of the Hebrew word "shalom," traditionally a greeting meaning peace, to signal aggression or dominance in political contexts.

0 Language History

VIDEO: An interview with Gabriel Weinreich, brother of the Yiddish linguist Uriel Weinreich

פֿאָרווערטס־רעדאַקציע in Forward · 28 Feb

The interview with Gabriel Weinreich provides insights into his family's legacy, particularly highlighting the contributions of his brother, Uriel Weinreich, to Yiddish linguistics.

0 Torah Language

Our Top 3 ‘Why Read the Bible in Hebrew’ Threads by Ari Lamm

Sruli Fruchter in 18forty · 22 Feb

Ari Lamm, a multifaceted rabbi and scholar, champions the importance of reading the Torah in its original Hebrew to unlock deeper themes and nuances often lost in translation.

0 Language Culture

Course to explore Ukrainian-Yiddish dialect of the theater and the Breslov Hasidim

Forverts Staff in Forward · 20 Feb

Yiddish scholar Leyzer Burko is offering a course this spring focusing on the Ukrainian-Yiddish dialect, which was historically significant in Yiddish theater, film, and among Hasidic communities like Skver and Breslov.

0 Jewish Law Language

The Rule of Pshat & Rashi

Jewish History Uncensored · 6 Feb

Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein explores the complexities of understanding Tanakhic Hebrew, emphasizing the importance of knowing precise meanings of words in biblical exegesis.

0 Language Culture

Why Ladino is having a big moment — both in New York and the rest of the world

Aviya Kushner in Forward · 31 Jan

Ladino, a historically pivotal language for Sephardic Jews, is gaining renewed interest worldwide, from New York's Ladino Day celebration to mentions in contemporary pop culture, including Netflix series and bestselling novels.

0 Culture Language

Thanks to jury duty, these two fell in love

פֿאָרווערטס־רעדאַקציע in Forward · 31 Jan

In this delightful story shared by the Forverts, a pair found love during an otherwise mundane jury duty assignment, encapsulating how unexpected circumstances can lead to remarkable personal connections.

0 Language Culture

Warsaw Yiddish summer seminar to focus on the Yiddish press

Forverts Staff in Forward · 29 Jan

This summer, Warsaw will host an intensive Yiddish seminar focusing significantly on Yiddish journalism.

0 Education Language

Registration now open for the Yiddish summer program in Paris

פֿאָרווערטס־רעדאַקציע in Forward · 29 Jan

The Yiddish Summer Program in Paris is now open for registration, providing a unique opportunity for participants to immerse themselves in Yiddish culture and language.

0 Culture Language

Yiddish speakers having fun together in Chicago, Boston and other cities

פֿאָרווערטס־רעדאַקציע in Forward · 28 Jan

Yiddish speakers in cities like Chicago and Boston are engaging in lively communal activities, fostering a sense of enjoyment and connection within Yiddish-speaking communities.

0 Jewish Law Language

What’s the Truth About . . . Tzadi?

Rabbi Dr. Ari Z. Zivotofsky in Jewish Action · 28 Jan

The article elucidates the correct name of the eighteenth Hebrew letter as 'tzadi,' contrary to the common misconception of it being called 'tzaddik.'

0 Language History

VIDEO: A talk about Yiddish in the 16th century

פֿאָרווערטס־רעדאַקציע in Forward · 26 Jan

The article discusses a video presentation that explores the use and significance of Yiddish during the 16th century.

0 Language Culture

New Beginnings: How Do We Use Hebrew, Hebrew Dialect and Intentionality

Misha Éanna Schaffner-Kargman in New Voices · 24 Jan

Reflecting on two havdalah gatherings organized by the Students for Justice in Palestine at a university, the author deliberates on the intentionality of choosing Hebrew dialects in religious and cultural practices.

0 Language History

Seize the Word

Joseph Lowin in Hadassah · 21 Jan

Joseph Lowin explores the versatility of the Hebrew root (ḥet-tet-pe), meaning "to snatch", which appears in various contexts from ancient scriptures to modern slang.

0 History Language

Scattered Seeds: The Origins of Diaspora

Malka Z. Simkovich in Jewish Review of Books · 15 Jan

Malka Z. Simkovich explores the origin and significance of the term "diaspora" as coined during the translation of the Hebrew Torah into the Greek Septuagint in the late third century BCE.

0 Literature Language

Franz Kafka’s Hebrew writings are now on view in New York City

Lisa Keys in JTA · 13 Jan

Franz Kafka's lesser-known Hebrew writings are featured in a new exhibit at the Morgan Library and Museum in New York City, highlighting the Jewish influences in his work.

0 Culture Language

The Yiddish Word that Keeps Me Warm During Winter

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller · 13 Jan

Lior Zaltzman whimsically explores the Yiddish term "gatkes," meaning long underwear, and the cultural warmth it conveys.

0 Politics Language

What critics miss when they accuse Israel of 'scholasticide' and 'domicide'

Aviya Kushner in Forward · 8 Jan

The article by Aviya Kushner considers the growing usage of terms like "scholasticide" and "domicide" to critique Israel's military actions in Gaza, arguing that these terms echo the moral weight of genocide without substantive grounding in established dictionaries or historical context.

0 Culture Language

A Year in Retrospect: ‘The Gospel According To Chaim’ Makes Yiddish Theater History

Samuel Eli Shepherd in New Voices · 23 Dec 2024

The Gospel According to Chaim, a historic Yiddish play by Mikhl Yashinsky, premiered on Christmas Eve 2023, marking the first original Yiddish-language drama in America in over 70 years.

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