JTConnect, a local Federation partner, encourages teens to continue their Jewish learning through all kinds of fun and informative programming. JTConnect Executive Director Eric Maurer recently told us about an exciting new class at JTConnect: “Yiddish Through TikTok.” (TikTok is a social network that lets users share short-form videos; it’s incredibly popular with today’s teens.) The course proved that you can make an Old World language relevant to new generations – and that Yiddish culture has stood the test of time. Eric’s writeup and a link to a JTConnect TikTok video are below.
In our “Yiddish Through TikTok” course, teens explored the wonderful world of Yiddish culture! From music to food to Yiddish TV, there are many Yiddish gems just waiting to be discovered. Participants learned how to introduce themselves in Yiddish and how to ward away the evil eye. A key focus of the course was diving into the small but ever-growing world of Yiddish TikTok. Teens even had an opportunity to make their own TikToks – one of which you can watch here. “Yiddish Through TikTok” was taught by JTConnect alumna and Yiddish enthusiast Charlotte Apter, who is currently working toward her bachelor's degree in Jewish Studies and History at Oberlin College. We hope you enjoy watching this video as much as our students enjoyed making it.
Click here to see JTConnect's 2021 course offerings. To learn more about JTConnect, click here or contact Eric Maurer at eric@jtconnect.org or Cara Levine at cara@jtconnect.org.