I always considered Yiddish a cute language. Not sure why but having grown up with strong German dialects around me, I was able to understand other variations of German quite easily, which helps also with Yiddish.
I have no family or personal cultural history with the language but always loved hearing songs and exposing myself to it, it’s so soothing in a way 😅 I think I came across it first because I used to play the clarinet and eventually got exploded to klezmer music…then jiddisch songs
A large group of Jews sat by me on the train in Switzerland this summer. The woman closest to me talked with her son in English. She and her together Hebrew, and then sometimes Yiddish. Like Swiss German dialects, but different.
I grew up listening to Yiddish and although I understood it I didn’t want to speak it as a child and so I responded to my parents with English. Not until I was an adult did I regret that and although I did speak it with my parents as they aged I am far from fluent. Now the last Yiddish-speaking family member has died and I very much miss the language.
Since you are coming to it through songs, don’t miss listening to The Shvesters on Instagram. Two young women who are not actually sisters but who are jazzing up the old songs with great singing talent.
Yiddish is also on my list to learn. I have to make pease with Dutch and Swedish first, but Yiddish is around the corner. I may be a goy but I grew up surounded by Jews. I friend took me to Temple (over his grandmother's objections) when I was ten. I was very impressed. And I heard a lot of Yiddish, and many Yiddishisms. schlepp, tsuris, schmuck, and, of course—á propos of your father's sensitivities—tuchus.
After I went to Germany in the 1960's and spent some time polishing up my college class German, I returned home and was invited one late summer Saturday to go with my father to a service at his boss' (reformed) temple. A guy stood up and gave an announcement in Yiddish, and I was floored by how much I could understand.
It’s beautiful really, the places we find hope. Thank you for sharing this one of yours.
I always considered Yiddish a cute language. Not sure why but having grown up with strong German dialects around me, I was able to understand other variations of German quite easily, which helps also with Yiddish.
I have no family or personal cultural history with the language but always loved hearing songs and exposing myself to it, it’s so soothing in a way 😅 I think I came across it first because I used to play the clarinet and eventually got exploded to klezmer music…then jiddisch songs
A large group of Jews sat by me on the train in Switzerland this summer. The woman closest to me talked with her son in English. She and her together Hebrew, and then sometimes Yiddish. Like Swiss German dialects, but different.
God, Tan’ka…
I am sitting in my car and crying…😭
I grew up listening to Yiddish and although I understood it I didn’t want to speak it as a child and so I responded to my parents with English. Not until I was an adult did I regret that and although I did speak it with my parents as they aged I am far from fluent. Now the last Yiddish-speaking family member has died and I very much miss the language.
Since you are coming to it through songs, don’t miss listening to The Shvesters on Instagram. Two young women who are not actually sisters but who are jazzing up the old songs with great singing talent.
I love this. My grandma used to sing that song to me!
Yiddish is also on my list to learn. I have to make pease with Dutch and Swedish first, but Yiddish is around the corner. I may be a goy but I grew up surounded by Jews. I friend took me to Temple (over his grandmother's objections) when I was ten. I was very impressed. And I heard a lot of Yiddish, and many Yiddishisms. schlepp, tsuris, schmuck, and, of course—á propos of your father's sensitivities—tuchus.
After I went to Germany in the 1960's and spent some time polishing up my college class German, I returned home and was invited one late summer Saturday to go with my father to a service at his boss' (reformed) temple. A guy stood up and gave an announcement in Yiddish, and I was floored by how much I could understand.
Mazel tov.