From Ancestral Tongue to Trending Topic: The Yiddish Revival

Interest in Yiddish is booming among Millennials and Gen Z. What does this resurgence tell us about contemporary Jewish culture—its relationship to the past, its anxieties about the present, and its imagined futures? In this session, we’ll explore these questions through two short poems by Avrom Sutzkever, "Yiddish" and "Set Sail, My Word". These texts will anchor our discussion as we consider how Yiddish, as both a language and a cultural inheritance, opens up space for engaging with alternative visions of Jewish memory and possibility. What does it mean to reclaim or reinvent a language shaped by rupture? And how might Yiddish point us toward unexpected versions of the future?

Justin Cammy is Professor of Comparative Jewish Literature and Associate Dean of Faculty at Smith College in Northampton, MA. In Fall 2025 he is serving as Visiting Professor of Yiddish Literature at Harvard University. Cammy is the co-editor of The Cambridge History of Yiddish Literature, forthcoming in 2027.

Who are these classes for?

Our classes are for everyone—whether you’re brand new to the topic or have been engaging with it for years, we encourage participation from people of all backgrounds, identities, and experience levels. Unless otherwise noted, no prior knowledge or experience is needed. Not sure if a class is for you? Email us at Learning@Lehr.haus!

Why are there tickets at different prices?

Our tickets utilize a Pay-What-You-Can model so attendees can pay a range of prices based on what they are able to pay to allow for greater accessibility. Please select the price point that feels right for you.

Can I eat during class?

While we do not serve food in the study, you are welcome to order and enjoy drinks during class and join us for a meal before or after class. We highly recommend making a reservation if you know you'll be dining with us. Visit www.lehr.haus/reservation to check availability and book a table.