This page is not available in English as this course is given in Swedish

Photo: Ola Myrin, Statens Historiska Museer (© Statens historiska museer/National Historical Museums).

CONNECT THROUGH YOUR HE-ART: ART THERAPY INSPIRED BY JEWISH ARTISTS

This course offers a 6-session workshop series. We will be exploring the intersection of art therapy and Jewish artists. Participants will engage with the works and techniques of influential Jewish artists while embarking on a personal therapeutic journey through creative expression.

 

Course structure 

The workshop series consists of 3 modules, each focused on a different Jewish artist. Every module includes two connected sessions:

  • Session A: Exploration of the artist’s style, techniques, and themes.
  • Session B: Application of these elements to personal therapeutic exploration and expression.

Prior knowledge

The course is given in English.

No prior knowledge about the subject is needed.

Course material

Course material is included in the cost for this course.

About the teacher 

Einat Daskal is originally from Israel, and has lived in Sweden for the past 10 years. As an Art and CBT therapist, she has worked with different populations.

Art therapy is a mental health profession that uses the creative process of art making, to improve and enhance the physical, mental and emotional well-being of individuals of all ages. It is based on the belief that the creative process, involved in artistic self-expression, helps people to resolve conflicts and problems, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, reduce stress, increase self-esteem and self-awareness, and achieve insight. Art therapy integrates the fields of human development, visual art (drawing, painting, sculpture, and other art forms), and the creative process with models of counseling and psychotherapy. 

Photo: Marc Chagall: Over the City

Frequently Asked Questions

SUMMER COURSE, INTENSIVE COURSE
INTENSIVE YIDDISH SUMMER PROGRAM 2025

Welcome to the Yiddish Summer Program in Stockholm! This is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in Yiddish over four intensive days of study, led by experienced and passionate teachers.

Dates: August 11–14, 2025
Daily Schedule: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM (including lunch breaks)
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Languages of Instruction: English and Yiddish
Program Cost: 900 SEK (includes smorgasbord lunch, study materials, and coffee)
Note: Travel and accommodation are not included
Organizers: Paideia Folkhögskola, Paideia – The European Institute for Jewish Studies, Jiddischsällskapet i Stockholm

 

Course Levels 

Participants may apply to one of the following two levels.
Please read the descriptions carefully to determine which best fits your experience.

Kumt gezunterhayt – es vet zayn a mekhaye!
(Come in good health – it’s going to be a pleasure!)

 

  1. 1. Yiddish for Advanced Beginners

Teacher: Dr. Yaad Biran

Course Description: This course is ideal for participants who already have some knowledge of Yiddish and want to refresh and strengthen their skills. Participants should be able to read and write in Yiddish and have a basic understanding of verb conjugation (across tenses) and grammatical cases. Over four intensive days, the focus will be on using Yiddish practically—through reading accessible texts and engaging in conversation. The aim is to boost your confidence and fluency without introducing extensive new grammar.

Language: This course is conducted in English and Yiddish.

Materials: All course material is included.

Prerequisites:

  • Ability to read and write in Yiddish
  • Familiarity with verb conjugation in different tenses
  • Basic understanding of grammatical cases

 

  1. 2. Yiddish – Advanced Level

Teacher: Dr. Miriam Trinh

Course Description: This course is for participants who already speak and understand Yiddish. Over four immersive days, we will refine your spoken Yiddish through interactive activities in both small and large groups. Discussions will range from everyday topics to literary and philosophical themes. We will also explore Yiddish literature written in Israel, focusing on short stories. Grammar review and writing exercises will complement the course.

Language: This course is conducted entirely in “Mame-loshn” (Yiddish).

Materials: All course material is included.

Prerequisites:

  • Fluent understanding and speaking ability in Yiddish
  • Basic reading skills in Yiddish
  • You are welcome even if your grammar knowledge is limited

 

Meet the Teachers

Dr. Yaad Biran
Ph.D. in Yiddish Literature from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Yaad teaches Yiddish language and culture at Beit Shalom Aleichem in Tel Aviv, Haifa University, and the Tel Aviv Summer Course. He is a writer and translator, author of the Hebrew short story collection “Laughing with Lizards”, and creator of “Esther’s Cabaret”, a contemporary Yiddish performance. He also leads Yiddish tours in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

Dr. Miriam Trinh
Miriam Trinh is a well-known Yiddish teacher and scholar with experience teaching in Israel, the U.S., and across Europe. She has conducted postdoctoral research on Yiddish literature during the Holocaust. Miriam and her husband, Eliezer Niborski, speak Yiddish at home with their children, who are also fluent. Miriam is a returning instructor at Yiddish seminars in Sweden.

 

Photo: Painting by Jean Hessel.

Frequently Asked Questions

This page is not available in English as this course is given in Swedish

Photo: Paideia/Canva.

SUMMER COURSE, INTENSIVE COURSE
HEBREW BEGINNERS “ULPAN STYLE”

Shalom! Welcome to dive into the world of Hebrew. In this course you will learn the alphabet and vowels, common words and simple phrases, how to tell about yourself, how to ask questions and give easy-to-understand answers in modern Hebrew. In addition, we study basic grammar.

The teacher teaches in Hebrew as part of the course methodology. The focus is on enjoyable learning.

 

Course structure

This intensive course is given on weekdays between 09:00-13:00 o’clock, 6 days total.

Prior knowledge

Both Swedish and English speaking participants are welcome to apply. The teacher teaches in Hebrew as part of the course methodology. 

The course is aimed at those who have no prior knowledge of Hebrew. 

Course material 

All course material, sweet and savory snacks and coffee on all course days are included in the cost of this course.

About the teacher 

Michael Kisliuk holds a Master’s degree in Hebrew from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He has extensive experience teaching Hebrew as a second language and Arabic at leading academic institutions in Israel.

Photo: Paideia/Canva. 

This page is not available in English as this course is given in Swedish.

Photo: Canva/Paideia.

During this course, you will learn to play and sing Jewish songs from different traditions: Israeli folk songs, Ashkenazi music (from Eastern Europe) and Sephardi music (from Spain and North Africa). 

Our starting point is based on the talents you already have: maybe you play an instrument and want to learn even more, or you like to sing. Any level of instrumentalist and singer is welcome! 

 

Course structure

We will work with music sheets and recordings. Sheet music and/or recordings will be sent to the participants ahead of time. Participants are expected to learn them and come prepared to play them together in class.

Prior knowledge

The course is given in English.

No prior knowledge about the subject is needed. The course welcomes both former and new participants.

Course material

Course material is included in the cost for this course.

Participants bring their own instruments.

About the teacher

Liam Elion is an Israeli trombonist, double-bassist and composer based in Europe. He released his debut album “Almost Free!” in 2023 on Varva Records and Music and is currently working in several projects as a sideman. Liam is a graduate of the Global Jazz Institute and the Jazz and Gender Justice Institute at Berklee College of Music (2023) and is pursuing a master’s degree in jazz performance via the EUJam program (expected 2025). 

Photo: Canva/AI.

Frequently Asked Questions

In this course participants will learn to play the frame drum Tof Miryam. It’s a frame drum that is very ancient, and belongs to Jewish and Israeli culture. Together we will develop vocal skills and sing while drumming within an ensemble. 

The course topics are: 

  • The history of the Tof Miryam
  • The evolution of rhythm and its cultural significance
  • Basic frame drum techniques
  • The language of drumming and beat interpretation
  • Rhythms of the Mediterranean and the Balkans
  • Developing vocal skills
  • Learning traditional songs from Israel, the Mediterranean, and the Balkans
  • Synchronizing rhythm and voice
  • The dynamics of drumming in an ensemble
  • Performing within an ensemble and in front of an audience

 

Course structure

The methods used in the course sessions are teacher lead lectures/introductions and explanations. A large part of the sessions consist of exercise and repetition.

Prior knowledge

The course is given in English.

No prior knowledge about the subject is needed. 

Course material

All course material is not included in the cost for this course. Participants organise the frame drum on their own.

About the teacher 

Yinon Muallem is a composer and multi-instrumentalist of Iraqi-Jewish origin, specializing in Ethnic Mediterranean and world music. His work fuses traditional sounds with jazz, classical, and contemporary styles. To date, he has released 12 albums.

Yinon plays the Oud (Arabic lute) and various string instruments, as well as a range of hand percussion instruments from different musical traditions, including Darbuka, frame drums, Spanish Cajón, bongos, and more. Over the years, he has led and participated in numerous intercultural music projects, fostering creative collaboration between musicians from diverse backgrounds. He has given masterclasses and workshops at institutions such as the Royal Academy of Music, Stockholm (2023) and Sibelius Academy, Helsinki (2022). 

Photo: Anselm Feuerbach, Wikimedia

Frequently Asked Questions

This page is not available in English as this course is given in Swedish.

Photo: Nina Winizsky-Vas

This page is not available in English as this course is given in Swedish.

Photo: Mirjam Frydman/Canva/Paideia folkhögskola.