Feb 06, 2023
A special-baked challah takes center stage on the 1992 poster of the third Jewish Culture Festival in Krakow. Experience the 32nd iteration of the event between June 28th and July 2nd this year.
INTRODUCTION
Ready for some fun af der zun? Nothing screams ‘summer’ more than Yiddish immersion. In geveb has compiled our annual Summer Programs Roundup for 2023, and we’re excited to share essential information about what’s coming up in Yiddishland. Our list runs the gamut of Yiddish-centered opportunities: from cultural music festivals to language intensives at all levels. Each experience gives participants the chance to hone and practice their Yiddish, as well as connect with fellow leyeners and lovers of the language. Can’t travel to Yiddishland this year? No problem. Many programs have continued to offer remote options, so that you can join in from home.
Did we miss something? If you would like to suggest an addition or correction to this list, please contact us.
NOTE: All currency exchange values were calculated before publication, thus they may be subject to change.
BY REGION
United States
YIVO-Bard Uriel Weinreich Summer Program in Yiddish Language, Literature, and Culture (New York, NY & Online)
Dates: June 20 – July 28, 2023
Application deadline: March 3, 2023 (general); February 10, 2023 (international and financial aid)
Cost: $2900 USD
Description: The Uriel Weinreich Summer Program in Yiddish Language, Literature, and Culture, established in 1968, is the oldest intensive Yiddish summer program in the world. The 6-week program offers classes from beginner to advanced levels and a wide variety of cultural and enrichment activities. Under the auspices of the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research and Bard College, the program offers peerless instruction in the Yiddish language and an in-depth exploration of the literature and culture of East European Jewry and its diaspora communities. The Weinreich Program treats Yiddish as a living language and emphasizes spoken Yiddish.
Levels: Beginner-Advanced
Housing: Not included in cost-of-attendance. For more information, please visit here. Housing is not necessary for remote participants.
Program Layout: Both in-person and online courses are offered.
Workers Circle Summer 2022 Semester (Online)
Summer dates yet to be publicized.
Chicago Worker’s Circle & Chicago YIVO Society (Online)
Summer dates yet to be publicized.
Yiddish Vokh (Copake, NY)
Dates: August 16 – 22, 2023
Application deadline: Will open in spring
Cost: TBA
Description: Yiddish Vokh is a language immersion retreat. Volunteers lead art activities, lectures, discussions, workshops, and sports.
Trip to Yiddishland (Dutchess County, NY)
Program details yet to be announced.
Steiner Summer Program, Yiddish Book Center (Amherst, Massachusetts)
Dates: June 4 - July 22, 2023
Application deadline: applications for the 2023 summer program close February 7th, 2023
Cost: The program covers tuition, required textbooks, and the cost of activities. Some additional books may be required at a small fee. More information regarding housing, dining, and international visa costs can be found here.
Description: Now in its fourth decade, the Steiner Summer Yiddish Program offers motivated students the opportunity to immerse themselves in Yiddish language and culture. Participants study with renowned scholars and build a community of yidishkayt in a supportive residential setting.
Levels: Beginner and intermediate
Europe
Yiddish on the Continent (Brussels, Belgium)
Dates: July 3rd - July 14th, 2023
Application deadline: June 5, 2023
Cost: 500 EUR (542.05 USD, 439.46 GBP); 400 EUR (433.64 USD, 351.57 GBP) for full-time university students
Description: The summer program offers students intensive language courses at the elementary, intermediate and advanced levels. Language classes are predominantly conducted in Yiddish.
Levels: 3 levels, elementary to advanced
Housing: Housing is not provided
Program Layout: In-person
Jewish Music Institute’s Ot Azoy 2023 (London, UK)
Dates: August 20 - 25, 2023
Cost: 250 GBP (309.13 USD, 284.70 EUR); Student / Senior (65+) rate set at 150 GBP (216.39 USD, 199.29 EUR)
Description: Full immersion courses in Yiddish Culture, Song, and Dance for people of all ages and backgrounds from beginner to advanced. Organized under a faculty of Yiddish teachers and artists, it is “the only opportunity in the UK to immerse yourself in the deep and inspiring world of Yiddish culture.”
Levels: 4 levels, beginner to advanced
Housing: Housing is not provided, but several recommendations for housing are given.
The 21st International Summer Seminar in Yiddish Language and Culture (Warsaw, Poland)
Dates: June 26 - July 14, 2023
Cost: three-week program: 600 euros (650 USD), student fee: 400 euros (450 USD)/ two-week program: 450 euros (490 USD), student fee: 300 euros (325 USD). Additional pricing for individual modules or language course only on the website.
Description: The Shalom Foundation and the Center for Yiddish Culture invite all Yiddish lovers to a three-week meeting with Yiddish language and Jewish history, literature, culture and art, which will take place both in-person and online.
Levels: 4 levels, beginner to advanced
Housing: Contact the program for more information
Program Layout: In-person and online
Yiddish Marathon (by Warsaw, Poland)
Dates: August 14 - 20, 2023
Cost: 500 euros - 950 euros (depending on room). 10% discount for registrations until May 31. Scholarships are available. The price includes housing, breakfast & dinner, and all the activities of the Zumer-maraton.
Description: The Paris Yiddish Center organizes a week of summer vacations in Yiddish only. The third Yiddish Marathon will take place on the shores of Zegrze Lake (not far from Warsaw). Participants will take part in a wide array of daily activities, such as reading groups, music, cooking, and art workshops… They are also invited to suggest an activity themselves– as long as it’s in Yiddish.
Levels: The Summer Yiddish Marathon welcomes every person willing to spend a whole week speaking Yiddish only – regardless of their level. Children under 6 are welcome even if they don’t speak Yiddish.
Israel
Naomi Prawer Kadar International Yiddish Summer Program at Tel Aviv University (Tel Aviv, Israel & Online)
Dates: July 5 - August 1, 2023
Application deadline: June 1, 2022
Cost: 60 USD application fee, 1450 USD tuition (1335.90 EUR, 1942.07 CAD). Scholarships are available to full-time students.
Description: Participants will receive 80 hours of language and literature instruction (five credits) with highly qualified and experienced teachers in small classes. Classes will include language instruction (grammar, pronunciation, conversation, reading, writing, vocabulary), and advanced research students can also register in a course focusing on providing skills for independent scholarly research and creativity. In addition to language instruction, the Yiddish Program includes a robust academic and cultural program including lectures in English and Yiddish, Yiddish conversation classes, a workshop on deciphering Yiddish manuscripts, and excursions. Find more information here.
Levels: Elementary - Advanced
Housing: Housing details forthcoming here.
Program Layout: In person & online, however the program is not hybrid (simultaneous in-person and online attendance); instead, they will offer both online and in-person courses.
Canada
KlezKanada Summer Retreat (Montreal, Canada)
Dates: August 23 - 29, 2023
Application Deadline: Registration has not opened.
Cost: Prices for the 2023 Retreat will be announced in March. In past summers, Azrieli Scholarships are available for emerging artists and scholars ages 18-36, which will provide generously subsidized tuition for all successful applicants. This year KlezKanada is introducing a volunteer program, as well as a bursary for participants who no longer qualify for the scholarship program.
Levels: Introductory, intermediate, advanced, as well as other classes, lectures, and other activities conducted in Yiddish.
Cultural Component: KlezKanada’s Summer Retreat is a week-long immersion in Yiddish culture, arts, and music attended by an international and intergenerational community every year. In addition to Yiddish language programming, KlezKanada is centered around intensive instrumental and vocal workshops in klezmer and Yiddish music, as well as classes in Yiddish dance, theater, and visual arts, and lectures and film screenings in topics related to Jewish history, literature, and culture. In the afternoons and evenings, there are concerts featuring some of the world’s best klezmer bands, and a late-night cabaret.
Program Layout: In-person; digital programming to be announced
Music and Cultural Festivals
Yidstock (Amherst, Massachusetts)
Dates: July 13 - 16, 2023
Description: Talented artists from around the globe will gather for a concert and festival of various genres, from Klezmer to Americana, traditional Jewish music, and more. In past years, scheduled talks have been arranged along with the musical performances, and more information will be forthcoming on the Yidstock website, or sent out via email subscription found at the same link.
Jewish Festival in Kraków (Kraków, Poland)
Dates: June 28 - July 2, 2023
Description: Described as the “largest presentation of contemporary culture created by the Jews in Israel and the entire Diaspora,” the festival is a collection of more than 300 events scheduled over a period of 10 days ranging from performances, workshops, lectures, tours, discussions, and much more ranging a wide and international variety of Jewish culture. This year’s festival will be dedicated to the last of elements: the air.
