'My Yiddishe Mama' added to monthly class

“My Yiddishe Mama” entertainment added to Monthly Yiddish class

“We are expecting a sellout crowd at the March 21, 10:30 a.m. Yiddish class at Chambrel offered for free by the Jewish Pavilion,” says participant Mimi Shader. She adds, “Monthly Yiddish class at Chambrel is open to the entire community and thoroughly enjoyed by all. The March class will be especially exciting because we are being joined by a superb singer, my friend, Bill Shamis.”

Normally at the end of class, Mimi plays the piano and participants gather around belting out Yiddish tunes. “Having Bill participate will make a world of difference,” says Shader, who describes him as having “a rare talent.” Shader and Shamis live at Village on the Green in Longwood, and have performed together several times.

The Jewish Pavilion’s Yiddish class is extremely popular with more than 30 participants. It would have been standing room only for the February class, if the activities director at Chambrel did not run around gathering more chairs.

Yiddish is taught by Jewish Pavilion volunteer Joan Pohl, a professional speech therapist and extraordinary teacher. Every month, she devises new ways to engage her students in dialogue. Even people who do not speak Yiddish find the class fascinating, because Pohl uses body language and repetition to get thoughts across to people with a wide range of conversational skills.

“Pupils in the Yiddish class are in for a treat on March 21,” says Shader. She is looking forward to being accompanied on the piano by Shamis who will sing “My Yiddishe Mama” and several songs from “Fiddler on the Roof.”

“Reservations for Yiddish class are not needed, but expect to find a room full of eager students,” says Emily Newman, program director for the Jewish Pavilion.

Visit jewishpavilion.org for more information, or call 407-678-9363.