Spring 2026: Beginner Yiddish

YIVO's beginner Yiddish classes are held for 12 weeks (12 total sessions, 1.5 hours each) and focus on listening, speaking, reading, and writing in Yiddish.

All of these classes meet live on Zoom, with the exception of Beginner I Yiddish (In-person), Beginner III Yiddish (In-person), and Beginner IV Yiddish (In-person), which meet at YIVO in New York City. Additional levels of in-person Yiddish classes will be added in future semesters.

Prerequisites or expected level of familiarity with Yiddish is specified for each course. Enrollment is capped at about 15 students per class. All course details (Zoom link [if applicable], syllabus, handouts, etc.) will be posted to Canvas.

This spring, YIVO is offering four levels of beginner Yiddish classes.

	[SPR2026] Beginner I Yiddish (Sunday) Instructor: Sharon Bar-Kochva 12 sessions, Sundays February 22 – May 10, 2026 | 1:00pm-2:30pm ET Learn more
	[SPR2026] Beginner I Yiddish (Tuesday) Instructor: Nina Warnke 12 sessions, Tuesdays February 17 – May 5, 2026 | 11:00am-12:30pm ET Learn more
	[SPR2026] Beginner I Yiddish (Wednesday) Instructor: Vera Szabó 12 sessions, Wednesdays February 18 – May 27, 2026 | 10:00am-11:30am ET Learn more
	[SPR2026] Beginner I Yiddish (In-person) Instructor: Moishele Alfonso 12 sessions, Wednesdays February 18 – May 20, 2026 | 6:30pm-8:00pm ET This class is held in person at YIVO in New York City. Learn more
	[SPR2026] Beginner II Yiddish (Sunday Morning) Instructor: Malena Chinski 12 sessions, Sundays March 8 – June 7, 2026 | 11:00am-12:30pm ET Learn more
	[SPR2026] Beginner II Yiddish (Sunday Afternoon) Instructor: Rose Mintzer-Sweeney 12 sessions, Sundays February 22 – May 10, 2026 | 3:00pm-4:30pm ET Learn more
	[SPR2026] Beginner III Yiddish (Sunday) Instructor: Nina Warnke 12 sessions, Sundays February 22 – May 10, 2026 | 3:00pm-4:30pm ET Learn more
	[SPR2026] Beginner III Yiddish (Thursday) Instructor: Lucas Fiszman 12 sessions, Thursdays February 19 – May 28, 2026 | 11:00am-12:30pm ET Learn more
	[SPR2026] Beginner III Yiddish (In-person) Instructor: Nachum Lerner 12 sessions, Mondays February 23 – June 1, 2026 | 6:30pm-8:00pm ET This class is held in person at YIVO in New York City. Learn more
	[SPR2026] Beginner IV Yiddish (Monday) Instructor: Malena Chinski 12 sessions, Mondays March 9 – June 8, 2026 | 11:00am-12:30pm ET Learn more
	[SPR2026] Beginner IV Yiddish (In-person) Instructor: Nachum Lerner 12 sessions, Tuesdays February 17 – May 26, 2026 | 6:00pm-7:30pm ET This class is held in person at YIVO in New York City. Learn more