CANCELLED – Yiddish II: Spring/Summer 2026

This course aims to improve students’ fluidity in written and spoken Yiddish. Using authentic texts and other media, students will become familiar with a range of Yiddish dialects and registers while gaining a more sophisticated knowledge of its grammar. Students will learn how to understand and express more complex ideas using a broader range of vocabulary and grammatical tools. They will also learn about Yiddish culture and the lived experiences of Yiddish speakers around the world.

The course will be taught through a mix of direct instruction, inquiry-based learning and immersion in the target language. Students should come to class prepared to listen, share, ask questions and take risks in order to gain confidence in their growing mastery of Yiddish.

Prerequisites: A good knowledge of the alef-beys and basic knowledge of Yiddish grammar.

Courses run weekly each Wednesday from May 20 to July 8, from 5:45pm to 7:15pm.

Please note that classes scheduled on June 24 (St-Jean) and July 1 (Canada Day) will be moved to the Tuesday of their respective weeks, June 23 and June 30. 

Registration is $220 per person. Click here to reserve your spot.

About Our Teacher:

Zoë Belk is a researcher, editor and translator living on the South Shore of Montreal. She has taught Yiddish at McGill University and a number of summer schools. Her research focuses on Contemporary Hasidic Yiddish and developments in Yiddish in the last 70 years. A linguist by training and an expert in plain language communication, she is passionate about bringing Yiddish to a wider audience.

Accessibility: Please note that our building is not currently accessible to visitors with limited mobility. Classes will take place on the second floor, which is only accessible by stairs

Image: © Feliks Gurevich / Encyclopedia Britannica