In the fall of 2007, Temple Micah offered a Beginning Yiddish class. Several participants continue to learn informally, with the help of a tutor, focusing on reading skills rather than conversation. For information, contact Virginia Spatz.

For those with more advanced skills, Leyenkrayz Yiddish reading group, led by Professor Max Ticktin, meets on alternate Sundays at the Washington DC JCC. Contact Sarah Shapiro for details.

Leyenkrayz and a variety of local Yiddish activities are supported by Yiddish of Greater Washington.

Yiddish Grammar, Bilingual Texts, and Web-links

Yiddish Grammar

Yiddish: An Introduction to the Language, Literature & Culture by Sheva Zucker

• The 2007 class at Micah used Volume I as its textbook. Some participants expressed dissatisfaction with the text's organization – too many vocabulary lists in each chapter, for example – and difficult-to-decipher italic typography. Micah Yiddish students have determined that it is one of only two readily available Yiddish grammar texts.
  
• Zucker's books, accompanying audio materials and answer keys are available from The Jewish Book Center or The Yiddish Store. Softcover, $24 - $33; Answer keys, $8; audio tapes/CDs, $36 - $46. 

College Yiddish by Uriel Weinreich

• Alternative textbook.

• Available from The Jewish Book Center. Hardcover, $50.
  

Basic Grammar Web-links

• Introduction to Alef-Bais
  

• One-page Yiddish grammar
• Grammar tables

Bilingual Texts

The Ineffable Name of God: Man

• Abraham Joshua Heschel
• Continuum, 2004

Songs to a Moonstruck Lady: Women in Yiddish Poetry

• Selected and translated by Barnett Zumoff

• Dora Teitelboim Center for Yiddish Culture, 2005
  

Yiddish titles, new and used, available at Powell's independent book chain if not at your local bookstore.

Additional Web Resources

• Literary, grammar and cultural resources --  Buffalo Yiddish Study Group
• "Oyb Nisht Nokh Hekher" ("If not higher") -- Rabbi Zemel's favorite story for the penitential season -- and an English translation of the Y.L. Peretz story
  
• for fun and listening practice -- A Shvere Togedike Nakht (A Hard Day's Night)
• Zog Nit Keyn Mol (partisan's hymn) in several musical versions with translated, transliterated and Yiddish lyrics plus karaoke opportunity for practice