Have you ever heard the words “schmooze,” “glitch,” or “kvetch”? These words entered English from Yiddish, the daily language of east European Jews. But Jews have spoken many other languages as well, including Hebrew, Aramaic, and Jewish versions of Arabic, Italian, and Spanish. As one historian put it, “one language was never enough for the Jews.” In this class, we will explore the fascinating role of languages in Jewish culture and history. Analyzing diverse materials from Passover Haggadahs to popular Netflix shows Unorthodox and Shtisel, students will learn how, when, and why Jews have used different languages. Among our topics will be code-switching and the role of languages in ideological debates about topics such as Zionism, religion, and Holocaust memory. You do not need to have prior knowledge of any of the languages mentioned in this description.

Class Format:

Instruction/Learning Mode: This course meets once a week and requires synchronous participation. The course will also have asynchronous assignments.

Course Testing/Assessment: Testing for the course will include asynchronous tests and a talk/paper.

Platforms/Technology Used: This course will use Canvas for all asynchronous online components. Optional synchronous meetings with the instructor will be conducted through Zoom. Students should have access to a camera and microphone.