Lunch and Learn: Jewish Languages: A Cultural Dialogue

Rabbi Lina Zerbarini of Kehillath Shalom Synagogue will lead a series of discussions on the varied spoken and written languages Jews around the world have used and how they have differed from their non-Jewish neighbors. Some of their languages have differed by only a few embedded Hebrew words, but others have been so different in grammar and pronunciation that Jews and non-Jews could barely communicate. Most longstanding Jewish languages are now endangered, but new ones are emerging. Many people have heard of Aramaic, Yiddish, and Ladino, but knowledge of other Jewish languages is less common, such as Judeo-Greek, Jewish Malayalam, and contemporary Jewish French. We will explore these and other Jewish languages through the resources of ANU: Museum of the Jewish People and the Jewish Language Project. Contact rabbi@kehillathshalomsynagogue.org or 631-367-4589 for questions or to find out how to access these meetings. Free. Non-members welcome.