Zoog mir in Yiddish

By Sol Awend, GenShoah SWFL

It’s agreed that the Holocaust was the worst catastrophe to strike the Jewish people. But alongside the Holocaust was another disaster. Of the Jewish people overcome during World War II, 85% spoke Yiddish. That means that out of some six million men, women and children, 5.1 million spoke Yiddish.

It has been said that there is not enough ink or paper to properly write what happened during this awful time. Concerning Yiddish, there is not enough time left for humanity to hear what was said by those anguished before being overcome.

In English, it is known as the Holocaust, in Hebrew it is the Shoa and in Yiddish it is called Deh C’horban, the sacrifice.

As we approach a new year in our faith, let us keep in mind the importance of how tightly Yiddish and the Holocaust are woven. The purpose of the Holocaust Museum is to enlighten and educate those around us; the same goes for Yiddish.

Why? Because that passionate, love-filled and joyously laden language was spoken first throughout Europe for 1,000 years.

It is up to us to preserve and enhance inzeh Looshen, our language, by speaking and sharing it amongst us Yeeden. I am grateful to Susan Suarez for another opportunity to offer Yiddish programs for your enjoyment. My thanks to Shelley Lieb for all the help she has provided.

If you have suggestions to enhance our conversation, I’m anxious to hear from you. In the meantime, here are a few gems heard this time of year.

Yiddish words dealing with Rosh Ha Shanah

1. Ah GIT YOOR! (a good year)
Lomir zec’h os bayten off Ah Git Yoor! (Let us be prayerful for a good year!)

2. Dee enTOYven (time of the High Holidays)
Dee Entoyven kimmen oop. (The High Holidays are approaching.)

3. RIND-ik (round)
Zayn noh! Deh challeh iz rindik! (Look! The challah is round!)

4. ZEES (sweet)
Meh zoll naw hoob’n ah zees yooweh! (We should only have a sweet year!)

5. LAY-ben (life)
Meh zoll naw layben un geh zint zahn! (We should only live and be well!)

6. MAH-zel (luck)
Doos mahzel zoll t’zee laac’hten! (Luck should only add to the light!)

7. SHEEL (Shul, Temple)
Meh geit in Sheel morgen. (We are going to Shul tomorrow.)

8. IBBEH bayten (to reconcile, to make up)
Lomir zec’h ibbeh bayten fah ah git yoor! (Let’s make up and have a good year!)

9. ahVEYres (sins)
Siz Tashlic’h, varf ahvek dee ahvayres in vaaseh! (It’s Tahslic’h, throw away your sins in the water!)