Singing Yiddish Lullabies: Voices Across Generations

Join this participatory workshop to discover and sing a selection of beautiful Yiddish lullabies. These songs are more than sweet melodies—they hold stories of migration, resilience, and love across generations. Together, we’ll learn the cultural background of each song, practice pronunciation, and sing as a group. No prior knowledge of Yiddish or singing is needed—song sheets with Yiddish lyrics, transliteration, and English translation will be provided.

Adah Hetko is a Yiddish singer/songwriter, dance-leader and educator based in Boston, MA. Several of her compositions are featured on the album Levyosn’s Lullaby, recorded with her ensemble Levyosn (Ashkenazi Hebrew for “Leviathan”), and released by Borscht Beat in June 2023. Levyosn’s Lullaby has been described as “one of those special recordings that brings joy and a smile each time it is heard” (Ari Davidow) and “a warm Yiddish blanket [to] calm your frayed nerves” (Rokhl Kafrissen). Adah has developed her knowledge and skills in many ways, including performing with ensembles Soloveychicks and Eight Foot Babka, completing an ethnographic study of contemporary Yiddish women singers (and completing an MA in Jewish Studies at Indiana University in the process), studying Yiddish song and dance-leading with veteran artist Judy Bressler, and teaching Yiddish songs to students ages 5-95. You can learn more about Adah here.

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.