Uriel Weinreich Summer Program Testimonial: Rebecca Glazer, '23

No Mistakes, Only Learning Opportunities

by REBECCA GLAZER, Summer Program ‘23

Before the YIVO Summer Program, I had only ever studied Yiddish on my own. I had never held a conversation in Yiddish or even been asked, “Vi heystu?” (“What’s your name?”). I was very nervous that the Intermediate I level was going to be way out of my depth — but within the first day of the summer program, I knew I’d made the right choice.

That’s not to say I caught on without a hitch — when my Literature teacher declared that he wasn’t going to speak a word of English all summer, I knew I was in for a ride — but every single person in the program was so warm, welcoming, and encouraging, that I never once felt embarrassed about making a mistake.

I’ve been in a few immersive language programs before, and the atmosphere at YIVO was undoubtedly the healthiest, most growth-oriented environment I’ve found myself in. There were no mistakes, only learning opportunities. Perfection wasn’t even on the radar; communication was the only important thing, even if it meant slipping into a bit of Yinglish.

From discussing applications of the dative case to analyzing the morals of 20th century socialist children’s literature, from singing folk songs to making vegan matzo balls, my life started to take place in Yiddish. I watched with pride as my class went from lapsing with relief into English over our lunch break to persevering (haltingly, joyfully) in Yiddish even as we walked to grab a slice of pizza. We giddily discussed whether we’d begun dreaming in Yiddish (and whether dreams about not understanding Yiddish could count).

I wanted to study Yiddish to enable my research into the Bund, and I made great progress this summer toward being able to decipher archival materials. What I wasn’t expecting was to come away with a class full of lifelong friends. Nor was I expecting to so completely redefine my understanding of “fluency” from some (imagined) perfect test score into a working ability to share my thoughts and feelings.

I have the utmost admiration and gratitude for my teachers, my classmates, the YIVO staff, and all of the musicians, scholars, writers, and guests who made this summer what it was. To anyone considering attending next summer’s program, I can’t recommend it highly enough.

Learn more about the Uriel Weinreich Summer Program in Yiddish Language, Literature, and Culture.