Feb 01, 2024
Ready for some fun af der zun? Nothing screams ‘summer’ more than Yiddish immersion. In geveb has compiled our annual Summer Programs Roundup for 2024, 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.
BY REGION
United States
YIVO-Bard Uriel Weinreich Summer Program in Yiddish Language, Literature, and Culture (New York, NY & Online)
Dates: June 24 – August 2, 2024
Application deadline: International and Financial Aid Applications by February 16; General Applications by March 1
Cost: $3100 USD; Financial aid is available
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.
Additional Offerings: Refresher Course (June 17-21) and Yiddish: The Next Level (August 5-16)
Workers Circle Summer 2024 Semester (Online)
Summer dates yet to be publicized.
Chicago Worker’s Circle & Chicago YIVO Society (Online)
Summer dates yet to be publicized.
Steiner Summer Program, Yiddish Book Center (Amherst, Massachusetts)
Dates: June 2 - July 19, 2024
Application deadline: applications for the 2024 summer program close February 5th, 2024
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 in Berlin (Berlin, Germany)
Dates: August 12-30, 2024
Application deadline: cancellations after July 12th cannot be reimbursed
Cost: 700 Euro, 50 Euro administrative fees (stipends available)
Description: The summer program offers students intensive language courses at the elementary, intermediate and advanced levels. Language classes are predominantly conducted in Yiddish.
Levels: 5 levels, elementary to advanced and a seminar for teachers of Yiddish.
Housing: Housing is not provided
Program Layout: In-person
The 22nd International Summer Seminar in Yiddish Language and Culture (Warsaw, Poland)
Dates: July 1-19, 2024
Cost: TBA
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 in-person.
Levels: 4 levels, beginner to advanced
Housing: Contact the program for more information
Vilnius Yiddish course (Vilnius, Lithuania)
Dates: August 5-16, 2024
Cost: 150 Euro course fee
Description: This is a unique opportunity because world-renowned Yiddish experts are coming - Professor Avrom Lichtenboim from Argentina, Dov-Ber Kerler from the USA and Anna Verschik from Estonia. In addition to the actual Yiddish lessons and learning the language, every afternoon you will get a lot of additional fun education - excursions to museums and cultural objects, movie screenings and evenings with Yiddish songs.
Levels: Beginner and Advanced
Housing: not provided
Program Layout: In-person
Paideia Yiddish Summer Course (Stockholm, Sweden)
Dates: August 19-122
Cost: 1400 SEK (132 USD, 124 Euro), including lunches, study material and coffee. Accommodation and travel is not provided.
Description: Welcome to the Intensive Yiddish Summer Program 2024 in Stockholm. You have a unique opportunity to learn Yiddish in intensive four days under the leadership of experienced teachers.
Levels: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Housing: not provided
Program Layout: in-person
Israel
Naomi Prawer Kadar International Yiddish Summer Program at Tel Aviv University (Tel Aviv, Israel & Online)
The details of this program have not yet been announced.
Music and Cultural Festivals
Yiddish Summer Weimar (Weimar, Germany)
Dates: July 12th - August 17th
Application deadline: TBD
Cost: TBD
Accommodation: not included
Descriptions: YSW is one of the most highly regarded festivals for Yiddish and related music and cultures in the world. Our vision is intercultural and interdisciplinary.
KlezKanada Summer Retreat (Montreal, Canada)
Dates: August 20 - 26, 2024
Scholarship, volunteer, and bursary applications will open in March, registration will open in April.
Jewish Music Institute’s Klezfest (London, UK)
Dates: August 19-23, 2024
Cost: 250 GBP (309.13 USD, 284.70 EUR); Student / Senior (65+) rate set at 150 GBP (216.39 USD, 199.29 EUR)
Description: This is a course for everyone who plays an instrument and wants to go deeper into learning about klezmer style. We welcome people who are new to klezmer, but you will need a good grasp of your instrument in order to participate.
Program Layout: In-person.
Yidstock (Amherst, Massachusetts)
Dates: July 11-14, 2024
The details of this program have not yet been released.
Jewish Festival in Kraków (Kraków, Poland)
Dates: 23 - 30 June, 2024
The details of this program have not yet been released.
Yiddish Sof-vokh (Birmingham, UK)
Dates: 21–23 June 2024
Other details TBD
Summer Camps
Yiddish Vokh (Copake, NY)
Dates: August 16 – 22, 2024
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)
Dates: August 19 - 25, 2024
Program details yet to be announced.
