Course information
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The heart of this course is the close reading and analysis of literary texts. Together, we will clarify idiomatic expressions, expand our vocabulary, and engage in deep discussions regarding the meaning and context of the works.
To maintain an immersive environment, the course is conducted (almost) entirely in Yiddish. Together we unlock the treasures of Yiddish literature. We also dedicate a brief portion of each session to refining specific grammatical nuances.
The course is aimed at participants who have attended in previous semesters, as well as those with equivalent knowledge. See more under the heading “Prior Knowledge” below.
Welcome to continue your Yiddish journey!
The course is given in collaboration with Paideia – the European Institute for Jewish Studies in Sweden and Jiddischsällskapet in Stockholm.
Paideia Folkhögskola also offers the online courses Yiddish Alef-Basics, Yiddish 4, Yiddish Conversation, and Avrom Sutskever – Yiddish Poetry as well as the on-site course Upplev och skapa jiddischteater in Stockholm during the fall semester of 2026. Please see more information on each course’s webpage.
Course Structure
Some homework is part of the course structure.
Prior Knowledge
The course is given in English and conducted (almost) entirely in Yiddish.
Participants need proficiency in reading and writing Yiddish. Understanding of present, future, and past tenses. Familiarity with grammatical cases, sentence structure, and various verb types in Yiddish.
To apply for this course, you need basic computer skills and knowledge of how to use the digital platform Zoom.
Course Material
Course material is included in the cost for this course. Grammar and literature resources will be provided to participants via email.
About the Teacher
Dr. Yaad Biran got his Ph.D. in Yiddish literature in the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. He teaches Yiddish language and culture in Beth Shalom Aleichem in Tel Aviv, in Haifa University and in the Tel Aviv summer course.
Yaad is a writer and a translator, the author of a short stories book Laughing with Lizards (Hebrew) and the writer of Esther’s Cabaret, a contemporary Yiddish Cabaret in Tel Aviv. He is also guiding Yiddish tours in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.