Learn Yiddish Online This Spring


A new semester of online Yiddish classes starts April 27, 2025.

REGISTRATION FOR THE SPRING SEMESTER WILL OPEN THURSDAY, MARCH 20.




Visit our FAQ (FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS) page for more information about our classes and policies, or send us an email at yiddish@ujafed.org


Cancellation Policy: CFY will offer students a full refund for withdrawal by the end of the second week of the course (i.e. before the third class of the course). No refunds are available after the second week of classes. Refunds will be processed one month after the course begins.

Classes are subject to enrollment. Course fees are in Canadian funds.

ALL CLASSES TAKE PLACE ON ZOOM.



Online Yiddish Language Classes with CFY

ײִדיש קלאַסן



Learn, refresh, and improve your speaking, reading, and writing language skills with experienced instructors in a fun and stimulating learning environment.



Beginner Yiddish Language

Mondays on Zoom, 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm ET | April 28 - June 30, 2025 (no class June 2, June 9)
8 classes | Cost: $145 CAD
Instructor: Ruth Gerlock

This introductory level course is suitable for those with no prior or minimal Yiddish language knowledge. Students will be introduced to the alef-beys, basics of Yiddish conversation, grammar, reading, and writing in an engaging class supplemented by songs and activities.




Beginner-Plus Yiddish Language

Wednesdays on Zoom, 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm ET | April 30 - June 18, 2025
8 classes | Cost: $145 CAD
Instructor: Ruth Gerlock

This high-beginner level course is suitable for those who have taken at least one or two semesters of beginner-level Yiddish courses, or equivalent prior experience. Students will continue to develop their basic conversational skills, grammar understanding, and facility with the alef-beys through a variety of engaging themes.




Intermediate Yiddish Language

Sundays on Zoom, 10:00 am – 11:30 am ET | May 4 - June 29, 2025 (no class May 18)
8 classes | Cost: $145 CAD
Instructor: Ruth Gerlock

This course is suitable for those who have studied Yiddish for one to two years or have equivalent experience. Students must be able to read alef-beys at least at a basic level. Students will continue to develop their intermediate-level speaking and reading comprehension skills through reading and discussing selections of Yiddish poetry and short stories, review of grammar with points drawn from the texts, and relevant vocabulary and conversational activities.




Intermediate-Plus Yiddish Language

Wednesdays on Zoom, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm ET | April 30 - June 18, 2025
8 classes | Cost: $145 CAD
Instructor: Sharon Power

This course, conducted mainly in Yiddish, is designed for students who have previously studied Yiddish at the Intermediate level and are ready to apply their skills in a literature-based course. Students will develop their speaking and reading comprehension abilities through reading and discussing an engaging selection of short to medium-length Yiddish texts (poetry, newspaper articles, short stories). Cultural and linguistic points of interest will be highlighted as we analyse the texts. The spring semester will focus on poetry and short works of prose by members of Di Yunge literary movement, including Zishe Landau, Isaac Raboy, Dovid Ignatoff, Mani Leyb, and more.



Advanced Yiddish Language

Sundays on Zoom, 10:00 am – 11:30 am ET | April 27 - June 22, 2025 (no class May 18)
8 classes | Cost: $145 CAD
Instructor: Sharon Power

This course, conducted entirely in Yiddish, will focus on advanced reading, writing, vocabulary, grammar, and conversation. We will read short stories and other Yiddish literary materials and use the texts as jumping-off points, to explore higher-level grammatical topics and to discuss historical, cultural, and linguistic points of interest. The spring semester will continue our focus on Yiddish humour, including works by Moshe Nadir, B. Kovner, M. Nudelman, Sholem Aleichem, and more.






Leyenkrayz (Yiddish Reading Circle)

לײענקרײַז


Third Tuesday of each month on Zoom, 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm ET, continuing April 15, 2025. The Leyenkrayz meets monthly year-round.
Cost: $30 annual fee (for those who did not pay in the Fall 2024 session)

Participants will read and discuss the collection of short stories in Yiddish from the book A SHTUB MIT ZIBN FENTSTER by Kadya Molodowsky. Materials will be provided in PDF form. The Leyenkrayz is facilitated by two class participants.

Please note: If you registered for this program in September 2024, you do not have to register again until next September, 2025.




Visit our FAQ (FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS) page for more information about our classes and policies, or send us an email at yiddish@ujafed.org