Growing up in Toronto in the early 60’s, I would frequently hear my parents converse in Yiddish when they didn’t want me to know what they were saying. Before long, I was able to understand a word or two, when it became obvious that the conversation was about my naughty antics. Although annoyed at my parents, I was still captivated with the spirited tone of the Yiddish language, especially when my father told off-colour jokes to his friends. I was even more intrigued when often reminded that Yiddish is considered a dying language.
Now, almost 40 years later, over a cup of coffee and a shtickel (piece) of cake with Helen Smolkin, President of Friends of Yiddish(FOY), I was happy to learn that Yiddish is still thriving in the 21st century.
“What gives me naches (joy) is when we have a good turn out at our events,” says Smolkin. FOY is a Toronto club that celebrates the language and culture of all things Yiddish, offering year-round programming of lectures, concerts, film screenings, sing-along sessions and holiday themed parties for close to 200 members, usually held at Beth Tikvah Synagogue. Non-members are also welcome.
But you don’t have to be a Yiddish speaker to join in on the fun. As comically described in their bright yellow brochure, FOY is open to people of all ages and Yiddish speaking abilities. “Sometimes we almost tsebrekh di tseyn (we break our teeth) as we try speaking Yiddish and we can’t always find the right word. We laugh a lot too…sometimes so hard, we can’t speak any language!” Smolkin is sure to point out that there’s always a nosh and coffee provided at each event, as well as a chance to win a great door prize.
Not only does Smolkin possess an enduring love for Yiddish, which she credits to being raised in a Yiddish speaking home, but she is also very knowledgeable and supportive of the many activities focused on Jewish/Yiddish culture, here in Toronto, and across the globe. Some of FOY’s past events were launched in partnership with other organizations including the Committee for Yiddish of UJA Federation, Workmen’s Circle, Holocaust Education Week and the Jewish Book Fair.
When Smolkin is not busy planning for upcoming programs with her active board, she is a longtime supporter of the Ashkenaz Festival, the largest Jewish cultural event in Canada, and wouldn’t dare miss KlezKanada’s Laurentian Retreat in the summer, Canada’s largest annual festival of Jewish and Yiddish culture and arts. Smolkin is also on the board of the International Association of Yiddish Clubs(IAYC), an umbrella organization that connects all Yiddish clubs worldwide, including FOY.
Although Smolkin is only too happy to mention other Yiddish focused events in the local Yiddish scene, such as the Yiddish Vinkl(www.yiddishvinkl.com), a group which meets monthly at Free Times Café on College Street, to hear a guest speaker and enjoy a buffet lunch complete with latkes and blintzes, she beams when discussing the future of FOY. “ People say Yiddish is a dying language, it is not. At our events you are surrounded by people with a passion and love for Yiddishkeit.“ Experiencing a growth in membership, FOY also hopes to attract younger members to its organization.
To ensure that the Yiddish legacy continues in Toronto for generations to come, FOY has created The Friends of Yiddish Endowment Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Greater Toronto, offering scholarships for candidates of all ages who are keenly interested in studying Yiddish.
FOY’s touching words about the need to preserve Yiddish culture are articulately noted in the Foundation’s 2010 Book of Life. “ We talk about the golden chain, and the links that intertwine creating a beautiful expression of our Jewish identity. Yiddish is a piece of that cultural link that is the chain of Jewish life. It is our hope, that this Endowment will create the programs and provide the education that will preserve this magnificent culture.”
FOY will be partnering with Temple Sinai Congregation on April 15 to present “A Polyphonic Canvas”, an afternoon multimedia experience of music, art and narrative on the life of Marc Chagall.
For information about Friends of Yiddish, visit www.jewishtoronto.net , e-mail Yiddish18@yahoo.ca or call Merle at 905-707-0470.
> This article by Rena Godfrey appeared in the Canadian Jewish News, April 2012.