A new semester of online Yiddish classes will be coming this October!

The Fall 2026 classes schedule is posted below. Registration will open on Thursday, August 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 approximately one month after the course begins.

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

ALL CLASSES TAKE PLACE ON ZOOM.

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 | October 19 - December 14, 2026
9 classes | Cost: $180 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 | October 21 - December 16, 2026
9 classes | Cost: $180 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 | October 18 - December 13, 2026
9 classes | Cost: $180 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: The Golem

Wednesdays on Zoom, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm ET | October 21 - December 16, 2026
9 classes | Cost: $180 CAD
Instructor: Sharon Power

This course, conducted primarily in Yiddish, is designed for students who have previously studied Yiddish at the Intermediate level and are ready to apply and further develop their reading and speaking skills in a literature-focused course. Students will read and discuss an engaging selection of short to medium-length Yiddish texts (poetry, articles, short stories). Cultural and linguistic points of interest will be highlighted as we analyse the texts.

For the Fall 2026 semester, we’ll read and discuss a selection of poems and short stories about the Golem, a legendary being made of clay created by the Maharal, the late 16th-century rabbi of Prague, to protect the Jews from antisemitic attacks. Readings will include excepts from H. Leivick’s famous 1921 dramatic poem “Der Goylem,” as well as works by I.L. Peretz, Malka Lee, Dovid Frishman, Der Nister, Kadya Molodowsky, and more.

Advanced Yiddish Language

Sundays on Zoom, 10:00 am – 11:30 am ET | October 18 - December 13, 2026
9 classes | Cost: $180 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 discuss historical, cultural, and linguistic points of interest. For the Fall 2026 semester, we’ll be reading short stories and memoir excerpts by the Soviet Yiddish writer Shira Gorshman.

ײִדיש שמועס

Intermediate Yiddish Conversation

Mondays on Zoom, 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm ET | October 19 - December 14, 2026
9 classes | Cost: $180 CAD
Instructor: Sharon Power

This course, conducted primarily in Yiddish, will give students the opportunity to practice and develop their Yiddish speaking and comprehension using songs, vocabulary, games, and small-group and full-class discussions on a variety of everyday topics. Topics for the Fall 2026 session will include the Jewish holidays, professions, school, animals, and more.

The level is geared towards intermediate students or heritage speakers with equivalent knowledge. Ability to read Yiddish in alef-beys is not required – all materials will be provided in both alef-beys and English transliteration.

לײענקרײַז

Third Tuesday of each month on Zoom, 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm ET, starting September 15, 2026. The Leyenkrayz meets monthly year-round.
Cost: $30 annual fee.

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 Ana Kuper Berman.

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