Musical Showcase: Ludmila Shapira Sings ABBA's Pop Hit "The Winner Takes it All" in Yiddish

"The Winner Takes It All" was a major success for ABBA, hitting No. 1 in Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands, South Africa and the United Kingdom. It reached the Top 5 in Austria, Finland, France, West Germany, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and Zimbabwe. 

It peaked in the Top 10 in Australia, Canada, Italy, Spain and the United States (where it became ABBA's fourth and final American Top 10 hit, peaking at No. 8. The song spent 26 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, more than any other ABBA single).

The song was performed in many languages, so why not in Yiddish? Singer and song collector Ludmila Shapira took up the challenge and created a music video with Yiddish lyrics by Lenny Misikoff.

Enjoy!

Yiddish Word of the Day - "Cleaning"

In 2020 the Forverts launched a daily series of short informal video clips called Yiddish Word of the Day.

The series, written and narrated by Forverts editor Rukhl Schaechter, aims to give non-Yiddish speakers an introduction to familiar Yiddish words and phrases and how they might be used in everyday situations. 

Schaechter, who was appointed the new editor of the Forverts in 2016, is the first woman to helm the paper in its 119-year history, its first editor to have been born in the United States, and likely its first editor who is shomeret Shabbat.

We posted the first of this series in May 2020. Now that the Forverts is continuing the series, we'll continue sharing some of the words and phrases as a regular feature of Jewish Humor Central.

Today we get to learn the Yiddish word for cleaning and lots of related expressions.

Enjoy!

Yiddish Word of the Day - "The Fourth of July"

In 2020 the Forverts launched a daily series of short informal video clips called Yiddish Word of the Day.

The series, written and narrated by Forverts editor Rukhl Schaechter, aims to give non-Yiddish speakers an introduction to familiar Yiddish words and phrases and how they might be used in everyday situations. 

Schaechter, who was appointed the new editor of the Forverts in 2016, is the first woman to helm the paper in its 119-year history, its first editor to have been born in the United States, and likely its first editor who is shomeret Shabbat.

We posted the first of this series in May 2020. Now that the Forverts is continuing the series, we'll continue sharing some of the words and phrases as a regular feature of Jewish Humor Central.

On Friday we start a year of celebrating America's 250th anniversary, so let's see how to say the Fourth of July in Yiddish and learn a few expressions relating to the holiday.

Enjoy!

Yiddish Word of the Day - "Children"

In 2020 the Forverts launched a daily series of short informal video clips called Yiddish Word of the Day.The series, written and narrated by Forverts editor Rukhl Schaechter, aims to give non-Yiddish speakers an introduction to familiar Yiddish words and phrases and how they might be used in everyday situations. 

Schaechter, who was appointed the new editor of the Forverts in 2016, is the first woman to helm the paper in its 119-year history, its first editor to have been born in the United States, and likely its first editor who is shomeret Shabbat.

We posted the first of this series in May 2020. Now that the Forverts is continuing the series, we'll continue sharing some of the words and phrases as a regular feature of Jewish Humor Central.

Today we get to learn the Yiddish words for children and a few related proverbs.

Enjoy!

Musical Showcase: Riki Rose Sings Que Sera Sera -- in Yiddish!

Raised in the cloistered Satmar community of Williamsburg, Riki Rose left that world in her twenties, but didn’t abandon the Yiddish language that had permeated her environment since infancy. 

Within the past ten years she’s appeared in dozens of Yiddish comedies, cooking shows and concerts, gaining a loyal following on Instagram.

She recently posted a YouTube video of her singing Que Sera Sera in Yiddish.

Enjoy!

Yiddish Word of the Day - "The Pope"

In 2020 the Forverts launched a daily series of short informal video clips called Yiddish Word of the Day.The series, written and narrated by Forverts editor Rukhl Schaechter, aims to give non-Yiddish speakers an introduction to familiar Yiddish words and phrases and how they might be used in everyday situations. 

Schaechter, who was appointed the new editor of the Forverts in 2016, is the first woman to helm the paper in its 119-year history, its first editor to have been born in the United States, and likely its first editor who is shomeret Shabbat.

We posted the first of this series in May 2020. Now that the Forverts is continuing the series, we'll continue sharing some of the words and phrases as a regular feature of Jewish Humor Central.
Today we get to learn the Yiddish word for the Pope and some of the words and expressions associated with his religion.

Enjoy!

Yiddish Word of the Day - "Feet"

In 2020 the Forverts launched a daily series of short informal video clips called Yiddish Word of the Day.

The series, written and narrated by Forverts editor Rukhl Schaechter, aims to give non-Yiddish speakers an introduction to familiar Yiddish words and phrases and how they might be used in everyday situations. 

Schaechter, who was appointed the new editor of the Forverts in 2016, is the first woman to helm the paper in its 119-year history, its first editor to have been born in the United States, and likely its first editor who is shomeret Shabbat.

We posted the first of this series in May 2020. Now that the Forverts is continuing the series, we'll continue sharing some of the words and phrases as a regular feature of Jewish Humor Central.

Today we get to learn the Yiddish word for feet and lots of related expressions.

Enjoy!

Yiddish Word of the Day: Comedian Modi Rosenfeld and Actress Mayim Bialk Bring us "Gehokte Tsuris"

Comedian Modi Rosenfeld and actress/blogger Mayim Bialik are very funny in their own right, but when they collaborate the fun just multiplies. Here they bring the Yiddish word tsuris up a notch by adding the adjective gehakte and give us the ultimate trouble -- gehokte tsuris.

Enjoy!

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Yiddish Word of the Day - "Hands"

In 2020 the Forverts launched a daily series of short informal video clips called Yiddish Word of the Day.

The series, written and narrated by Forverts editor Rukhl Schaechter, aims to give non-Yiddish speakers an introduction to familiar Yiddish words and phrases and how they might be used in everyday situations. 

Schaechter, who was appointed the new editor of the Forverts in 2016, is the first woman to helm the paper in its 119-year history, its first editor to have been born in the United States, and likely its first editor who is shomeret Shabbat.

We posted the first of this series in May 2020. Now that the Forverts is continuing the series, we'll continue sharing some of the words and phrases as a regular feature of Jewish Humor Central.

Today we get to learn the Yiddish word for hands and lots of related expressions.

Enjoy!

Yiddish Phrase of the Day - "Oy a Broch!"

Rabbi Gavriel Bellino is a frequent guest on comedian Modi Rosenfeld's blog, "And Here's Modi." The blog is an inside look at the man behind the microphone. Hosted by Modi, And Here's Modi features a raw and unfiltered side of the comedian rarely seen on stage. 

A native of Lower Manhattan, Rabbi Bellino grew up attending the Young Israel of Fifth Avenue, and after graduating from Ramaz, studied at Yeshivat Shalavim outside of Yerushalayim before getting his degree in Psychology, Philosophy and Women’s Studies from Brandeis University. He pursued his smicha at RIETS before returning to his childhood community in 2006 to lead the Sixteenth Street Synagogue (formerly the Young Israel of Fifth Avenue).

In a recent episode he traced the origin and usage of the Yiddish term Oy, a Broch.

Enjoy!

Yiddish Word of the Day - "Disappointment"

In 2020 the Forverts launched a daily series of short informal video clips called Yiddish Word of the Day.

The series, written and narrated by Forverts editor Rukhl Schaechter, aims to give non-Yiddish speakers an introduction to familiar Yiddish words and phrases and how they might be used in everyday situations. 

Schaechter, who was appointed the new editor of the Forverts in 2016, is the first woman to helm the paper in its 119-year history, its first editor to have been born in the United States, and likely its first editor who is shomeret Shabbat.

We posted the first of this series in May 2020. Now that the Forverts is continuing the series, we'll continue sharing some of the words and phrases as a regular feature of Jewish Humor Central.

Today we get to learn the Yiddish word for disappointment and some related expressions.

Enjoy!

Yiddish Word of the Day: Ceasefires

In 2020 the Forverts launched a daily series of short informal video clips called Yiddish Word of the Day.

The series, written and narrated by Forverts editor Rukhl Schaechter, aims to give non-Yiddish speakers an introduction to familiar Yiddish words and phrases and how they might be used in everyday situations. 

Schaechter, who was appointed the new editor of the Forverts in 2016, is the first woman to helm the paper in its 119-year history, its first editor to have been born in the United States, and likely its first editor who is shomeret Shabbat.

We posted the first of this series in May 2020. Now that the Forverts is continuing the series, we'll continue sharing some of the words and phrases as a regular feature of Jewish Humor Central.

Today we get to learn the Yiddish word for ceasefires and some related expressions.

Enjoy!

Tumbalalaika Around the World: Israeli Singer Einat Betzalel Sings With L'Orchestre Festival

The Yiddish folk love song Tumbalalaika originated in Eastern Europe in the 19th century, but its exact origin is hard to pinpoint. That hasn't prevented it from being sung and played over and over, not only in places where Yiddish songs are sung, but just about everywhere in the world, in vocal and instrumental versions, in cabarets and in the movies.

Just as we have followed the songs Hava Nagila, Adon Olam, Hevenu Shalom Aleichem, and Abanibi as they took different forms as interpreted by a wide variety of singers, musicians, and dancers, we're continuing the series today that we started back in 2012, sharing our 26th version of this universal courting and love song.

Today we're sharing a version by Israeli singer Einat Betzalel. She grew up on a kibbutz near Zichron Ya’acov and at the age of 18 joined a military band. That experience, she says, “was a great learning experience for me. We were performing almost every day throughout various countries.”

After the army Betzalel attended the Rimon School of Jazz and Contemporary Music and started to work with top artists in Israel, among them Alon Olearchik, who is best known for being one of the founding members of Kaveret.

In this video the words appear in English, Hebrew, Yiddish, and Russian.

Enjoy!

Humor in Yiddish Phrases - "A Groiseh Knocker"

In our search for new faces and new sources of Jewish humor, we came across a series of posts by a ventriloquist who goes by the name of Dr. Allan and has a dummy named Chaim.

Here's a post with Chaim explaining the meaning of the Yiddish phrase "A Groiseh Knocker."

Actually we remember the phrase as "A Gantseh Knocker" but let's accept both in the spirit of variations in Yiddish dialects.

Enjoy!

Author Michael Wex Analyzes Yiddish Curses and Jokes

Michael Wex is a Canadian novelist, playwright, translator, lecturer, performer, and author of books on language and literature.His specialty is Yiddish and his book Born to Kvetch was a surprise bestseller in 2005.

He recently participated in a series of lectures sponsored by the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research. The series, The History of Jews and Comedy in America, included a session on Yiddish Curses and Jokes, which is one of his favorite topics.

In this excerpt, Wex explains the origins and context of some of the more popular Yiddish curses.

Enjoy !

Yiddish Word of the Day - "Cold"

In 2020 the Forverts launched a daily series of short informal video clips called Yiddish Word of the Day.

The series, written and narrated by Forverts editor Rukhl Schaechter, aims to give non-Yiddish speakers an introduction to familiar Yiddish words and phrases and how they might be used in everyday situations. 

Schaechter, who was appointed the new editor of the Forverts in 2016, is the first woman to helm the paper in its 119-year history, its first editor to have been born in the United States, and likely its first editor who is shomeret Shabbat.

We posted the first of this series in May 2020. Now that the Forverts is continuing the series, we'll continue sharing some of the words and phrases as a regular feature of Jewish Humor Central.

Today we get to learn the Yiddish word for cold and some related expressions.

Enjoy!

Humor in Yiddish Phrases - A New Series - "A Goyishe Name from Ellis Island"

In our search for new faces and new sources of Jewish humor, we came across a series of posts by a ventriloquist who goes by the name of Dr. Allan and has a dummy named Chaim.

Here's a post with Chaim telling a classic story of how an immigrant arriving at Ellis Island managed to end up with a very non-Jewish name.

Enjoy!

Jewish Traces in Unexpected Places: YidLife Crisis Visits Stockholm to Create New Comedy Film for Miami Jewish Film Festival

Get ready to laugh and kvell with Swedishkayt: YidLife Crisis in Stockholm as self-proclaimed international Yiddish-ish icons YidLife Crisis—comedy duo Eli Batalion and Jamie Elman—bravely step onto Swedish soil to unearth a hidden treasure trove of Jewish culture. 

From the moment they arrive in Stockholm, our heroes, like gefilte fish out of water, prepare for a big live show while unraveling the little-known history of Sweden’s Jewish community in their hilarious and heartfelt journey.

Jamie Elman & Eli Batalion are filmmakers, writers and performers hailing from Montreal with credits spanning 25 years of theater, music, television and film - from starring in Mad Men, House MD and Curb Your Enthusiasm to writing, directing and producing films shown at the Sundance, Toronto, Berlin and SXSW film festivals.

Their unique friendship spawned an irreverent tribute to the Yiddish language, culture and comedic tradition they were reared on. Calling it YidLife Crisis, they hatched the world’s first Yiddish sitcom, toasting, roasting and wrestling with the modern Jewish experience. Its popularity has led to various awards and nominations, over 4 million online views, frequent live performances across North America and Europe, and hours of documentary content covering their travels and the Jewish diaspora.

The new film, Swedishkayt: YidLife Crisis in Stockholm, makes its debut this weekend at the Miami Jewish Film Festival.

There will be two showings. The first, on Saturday night, January 18 at 8 pm, will be at The Hub at Temple Beth Am, 5950 N. Kendall Drive, Pinecrest, Florida. The second, on Sunday, January 19 at 4 pm will be at the Michael-Ann Russell JCC, 18900 NE 25th Ave. Miami, FL 33180.

Both performances will feature a special live performance by YidLife Crisis to bring some LIVE SHTIK to this World Premiere event! Following the screening, there will be a Q&A with Eli Batalion and Jamie Elman.

Here is a trailer for the film. Enjoy!

Yiddish Word of the Day: Money

In 2020 the Forverts launched a daily series of short informal video clips called Yiddish Word of the Day.

The series, written and narrated by Forverts editor Rukhl Schaechter, aims to give non-Yiddish speakers an introduction to familiar Yiddish words and phrases and how they might be used in everyday situations. 

Schaechter, who was appointed the new editor of the Forverts in 2016, is the first woman to helm the paper in its 119-year history, its first editor to have been born in the United States, and likely its first editor who is shomeret Shabbat.

We posted the first of this series in May 2020. Now that the Forverts is continuing the series, we'll continue sharing some of the words and phrases as a regular feature of Jewish Humor Central.

Today we get to learn the Yiddish word for money and some related expressions.

Enjoy!

Yiddish Word of the Day - "Thanksgiving"

In 2020 the Forverts launched a daily series of short informal video clips called Yiddish Word of the Day.

The series, written and narrated by Forverts editor Rukhl Schaechter, aims to give non-Yiddish speakers an introduction to familiar Yiddish words and phrases and how they might be used in everyday situations. 

Schaechter, who was appointed the new editor of the Forverts in 2016, is the first woman to helm the paper in its 119-year history, its first editor to have been born in the United States, and likely its first editor who is shomeret Shabbat.

We posted the first of this series in May 2020. Now that the Forverts is continuing the series, we'll continue sharing some of the words and phrases as a regular feature of Jewish Humor Central.

Today as we join family and friends for the Thanksgiving feast, let's find out how to say the words for the turkey and all the trimmings in Yiddish, and also pick up a few expressions related to the holiday.

Enjoy!