Greenfield Summer Institute to be held in July

The Center for Jewish Studies at the University of Wisconsin–Madison will host the Greenfield Summer Institute, an adult enrichment program that analyzes the future of Yiddish as a language and a culture through lectures and panel discussions.

With this year’s theme “Yiddish in the 21st Century,” Jewish Studies faculty from UW–Madison and UW-Milwaukee will join other nationally renowned scholars to share lectures and lead panel discussions from July 10-14.

Since there are only select faculty from UW–Madison that are Yiddish experts, faculty from around the country will be coming to Madison to share their knowledge, said Laurie Silverberg, associate director of the Center for Jewish Studies.

The Greenfield Summer Institute offers participants a diverse series of topics that explore the role Yiddish plays in everyday life today. Scholars will discuss literature, theater, and the challenges of raising Yiddish-speaking children.

Each day’s activities will relate back to a daily theme. These subjects include the invention and reinvention of Yiddish, geographies of Yiddish, speaking “Jewish,” and connecting the past with the future.

KlezKamp, the other Yiddish-learning event hosted by the Center for Jewish Studies will be held concurrently with the Greenfield Summer Institute. The Center for Jewish Studies intends for these two events to be conceived of as complementary, rather than competing.

KlezKamp is a more hands-on program, whereas the Greenfield Institute is more focused on lecture and discussion. Those who are attending the Greenfield Institute are welcome to attend select KlezKamp classes and concerts for no extra charge.

“The Greenfield Summer Institute is a wonderful way of showcasing the Jewish Studies program at UW to the rest of the community,” says Silverberg. “By drawing in experts from around the country, it really brings recognition and showcases the talent of faculty across the United States.”

For more information and to register, download a brochure here or call the Center for Jewish Studies at 608-265-4763. The registration fee of $175 covers classes and selected refreshments.

The Greenfield Summer Institute is generously sponsored by the George L. Mosse/Laurence A. Weinstein Center for Jewish Studies through the thoughtful gifts of Larry and Roslyn Greenfield.