|
Dear friends,
What a year we have had at the League for Yiddish! Now, between Yom-Kiper and Sukes, at the start of the new year, I’d like to take this opportunity to reflect on some recent events, and express pride in our achievements in 5786.
Just this summer we released Ikh muz dertseyln (I Must Tell You), the newest innovative Yiddish textbook by Dr. Sheva Zucker, long-time Yiddish educator, as well as the former executive director and editor-in-chief emeritus of our biannual magazine Afn Shvel. This exceptional book is based on authentic Yiddish memoirs and autobiographical texts, and owes its cutting-edge pedagogic approach to Dr. Zucker’s decades of experience as a scholar, translator, and teacher. Ikh muz dertseyln (I Must Tell You) is a stupendous new resource for intermediate-advanced and advanced students of Yiddish, and is available for purchase in our online store.
Equally hot off the presses is the 407th issue of Afn Shvel, our long-running semiannual all-Yiddish literature and culture journal. This newest issue, “Yiddish Down Under,” introduces our readers to the rich and diverse Yiddish world in Australia, through poetry, short fiction, interviews, and fascinating articles from a variety of Australian Yiddish perspectives. To subscribe to Afn Shvel, one need merely become a member of the League for Yiddish!
Speaking of Afn Shvel, we recently launched a literary competition in advance of our upcoming Fall/Winter issue celebrating 85 years of the magazine. We are accepting submissions of poetry and short fiction until October 31. More details can be found at the link above; the editorial board eagerly awaits your submission!
Among a wide array of other fabulous programs, conversation groups, and interviews, this year the League for Yiddish also selected yours truly as its new executive director. I’d like to recognize our Board of Directors, professional staff and—of course—our membership for an extraordinarily warm welcome. Thank you all for your patience, encouragement, and enthusiasm as I get acclimated to my new role. A special thanks as well for our viewers and followers on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for your animated support of our new series: Words of the Week — Live! I’m looking forward to this new year, and to creating more fun and engaging ways to connect with our membership and audience. In the new year, zayt nit keyn fremder — don’t be a stranger! Please feel welcome to drop me a line at yanklk@leagueforyiddish.org.
Everything that the League achieved this year was made possible entirely through the generosity of our members and supporters. As the new year begins, please consider supporting the League for Yiddish by becoming a member. For a minimum annual donation of $50, members receive two issues of Afn Shvel, alongside other benefits, including discounts in our online store. Larger donations are, of course, deeply appreciated—and as always, donations to the League for Yiddish are tax-deductible. If you wish to send a check, our address is: League for Yiddish, 3080 Broadway, Suite B-404, New York, NY 10027.
With warm greetings for a freylekhn sukes and a beautiful new year,
Yankl Krakovsky
Executive Director
League for Yiddish
| 
