Yiddish in the Time of Corona
My spring class, “Yiddish in America,” in which we study English translations of Yiddish literature, included a student from Australia. He was passionate about the language and culture of the mama loshn the “mother tongue.”
He wanted to know more so I directed him to YIVO, the main institute for Yiddish research, which offers summer courses in Yiddish language. But, in March, as shutdowns swept the country, his parents in Melbourne wanted him home. Unfortunately, due to time differences, Zooming synchronously with the rest of the class was challenging for him. We kept in touch via email and were able to complete his class work online. This is an example of one the challenges posed—and solved— by the move to remote learning.
For others in my class, Zooming allowed us to reconnect. Some students told stories of people who contracted the virus, some shared their opinions about various popular TV shows, or books they were planning to read over the summer. And, oh yes, we discussed two Yiddish plays on the syllabus (How appropriate, one was The Dybbuk!)
Overall, Zooming has been a positive experience; although I’m not so sure about having to shower and having to wear a nice shirt again… In the not too distant future, we’ll look back at 2020 and even laugh at some of the things we lived through. Bimhera beyameynu–lets pray that the end of this is soon!
–Michael Taub, Lecturer in Jewish Studies