Yiddish Farm Summer Program: Beyond the Classroom

 

The best way to learn a language is to use it. Students on the Yiddish Farm Summer Program experience hundreds of hours of sustained language immersion among native speakers throughout the summer. They split their time between learning Yiddish language and literature in the classroom and using the language in daily life on the farm, in the kitchen, and around the campfire. After the end of the second week, English is no longer permitted for the duration of the program. By the end of the program, students will be able to communicate fluently in Yiddish as well as understand Yiddish newspapers, plays and novels. Click here to register.

 

Frequently Asked Questions


 1. What kind of accommodations are available?

Yiddish Farm students will live on-site in bungalows or cabins with bathrooms and showers.

2. How does a typical day look?

6:30 - 7:00 : Breakfast

7:00 - 11:00 : Farm and household chores

11:30-12:15 : Lunch

1:00 - 2:45 : Language Class

2:45 - 3:00 : Break

3:00 - 4:45 :  Language Class

4:45 - 5:15 : Books on tape

5:15 -  5:45 : Sing-along

6:00 - 6:45 : Dinner

6:45 - 7:00 : Journaling

7:00 - 8:45 : Yiddish cultural activity

 

3. What kind of food do we eat?

All Yiddish farm meals are prepared on-site and follow three principles:

A. We try to eat as much from the farm as possible.

B. Although we eat meat, there are always multiple options for vegetarians.

C. Everything is strictly kosher (we follow all hashgachos except Triangle K, Tablet K, and K).

 

4. Do I have to work on the farm?

We believe that working on the farm is an important part of the Yiddish Farm experience as well as critical to the cultivation of community.  On the farm, participants put their Yiddish to use and learn about organic agriculture.  That said, there are chores and projects that do not require a person to work outside, such as making signs, canning/pickling, and cooking. People who don't wish to work outside will be assigned different jobs. If you are interested in learning Yiddish, but not in farming, please indicate this before the beginning of the program so that we can plan properly.

5. What happens on weekends?

Weekends include a traditional shabbos experience with meals and religious services, free time to relax, play games, sing, and learn. We strive to create an environment that tradition, joyous, and comfortable for people of various backgrounds. This pie from the summer of 2012 says it all:

 

6. Must I speak Yiddish the entire time?

There is some English allowed during the first two weeks of the program. After that, students are expected to speak Yiddish for the duration of the program.

7. How do I sign up?

Click here to register for this program.

 

 

 

 
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