As part of an initiative to bring the Yiddish language to the University of Oregon, the Judaic Studies Program in the College of Arts and Sciences recently acquired some important materials in Yiddish. The language, originally spoken by Jews from Central and Eastern Europe, and their descendants, combines elements of German, Hebrew, Aramaic and various Slavic and Romance languages. 

Miriam Chorley-Schulz, assistant professor in Judaic studies and Mokin Fellow of Holocaust Studies, is actively working to build these archives.  

“Introducing students to the richness of global Yiddish cultures and Jewish diasporas is one mission of my teaching at UO,” said Chorley-Schulz. “In the near future, studying the great variety of Jewish cultures across space and time will go hand in hand with studying one of the languages Jews use for their cultural productions to this day: Yiddish.” 

The first materials Chorley-Schulz acquired with the team at Knight Library is a complete and pristine set of the Soviet Yiddish journal, “Sovetish Heymland,” which translates to Soviet homeland. It is the only Soviet Yiddish journal of the post-Stalinist period published from 1961 to 1991, and now accessible through the Knight Library. Esther Frank, retired lecturer in the Jewish Studies department at McGill University, donated the complete set of the journal.  

Chorley-Schulz plans to curate an exhibition at Knight Library about the journal in the coming months. 

“The journal collection is vital to have at UO to study and showcase the great diversity of Jewish life globally,” Chorley-Schulz said.   

In addition to the journal, Chorley-Schulz and the Knight Library used a CAS Library Acquisition Grant to bring two Yiddish online dictionaries – one English to Yiddish and one Yiddish to English – accessible for all UO students. Both titles are available via the library catalog.  

"There is no doubt that learning a language enhances one's understanding of other cultures, customs and histories. Yiddish is an important language for preserving Jewish heritage and culture. It provides a unique window into Jewish life,” said Bassem Hosny, instructor and program director of the Harold Schnitzer Family Program in Judaic Studies “The availability of Yiddish materials at the University of Oregon will greatly assist our students in becoming more familiar with the experiences of Jews during this crucial period of Jewish history in Europe. Dr. Chorley-Schulz is one of the few experts in this field, and she is delivering an engaging and enriching learning experience for our students."