Yidish-Vokh 2011 FAQ

What is the Yidish-Vokh (YV)?

It is the only annual weeklong Yiddish-language immersion retreat. Up to 170 people come from all over the world each August in order to live in Yiddishland, the place where everyone speaks Yiddish. This event, which has been going on for over 35 years, is sponsored by Yugntruf – Youth for Yiddish. It has been described as a mixture of Woodstock and a Kibbuts – without the drugs and loud music – because it is a community in the truest sense of the word. Anyone can volunteer to lend their talents, knowledge and ability in any way they can. Because some of the top Yiddish experts and talents come to the YV, the program is always top-notch. The YV invites the participation of the young and the young at heart. It does not discriminate in terms of religion, race or political affiliation, only in terms of readiness and willingness to speak Yiddish for the entire week.

top

Yiddish Capability

I can’t read or write Yiddish. Can I still come to the YV?

Yes! All the handouts at the YV are written in both Yiddish (the Hebrew alphabet) and in Yiddish transliteration (the English/Latin alphabet). If you cannot read Yiddish in English transliteration either, that will make it difficult for you, as nothing written (or spoken, for that matter) is translated into English.

I haven’t spoken Yiddish in many years, but I understand everything. Can I come?

There is an involved answer and a simple one.

1) The simple answer. Contact the organizers at yvokh@yugntruf.org or 212-889-0381. While conversing with you in Yiddish, they’ll ascertain whether the YV is appropriate for you.

2) The involved answer. At the YV, speaking Yiddish is no less important than understanding it. Anyone who comes needs to be ready, willing and able to speak Yiddish. Chances are, if you haven’t spoken the language in that many years, it will be very hard for you to start speaking it suddenly. And to have people who come and speak English would defeat the whole raison d’être of the YV, which is for everyone to spend one week of the year in a place where all the participants speak only Yiddish. I would recommend that you find Yiddish classes, Yiddish cassettes, Yiddish vinkls and private Yiddish tutors. Start speaking Yiddish with people who know the language, and hopefully after a few months of speaking more and more Yiddish you will eventually be comfortable speaking it again. At this point, you would be able to enjoy and thrive at the YV, as well as not be a disturbance to others.

I’m taking a beginners Yiddish course this summer. Is the YV for me?

1) If the Beginner’s Yiddish course is at one of the intensive summer programs – like the Uriel Weinreich YIVO Program now at Bard College – then it’s safe to assume that you are really committed to learning to speak Yiddish, to dig your heels in, to dive in, etc. In that case, the YV is the next natural step.

2) If the Beginner’s Yiddish course meets, on the other hand, once a week for 1 1/2 hours, chances are you will not be ready for the YV, unless you study Yiddish on your own as well. To determine which category you fall into, call one of the YV organizers and see if you are able to maintain a Yiddish conversation.

Can I at least speak English in order to ask “How do you say … in Yiddish?”

Of course! P.S. In Yiddish, it’s “Vi zogt men … af yidish?”

I’d like to come with my husband/wife. He/she doesn’t speak Yiddish, but I’ll translate everything for them.

Sorry, but the YV is only for Yiddish speakers. There is very limited space at the YV – room for 180 at most, and that is with very few private rooms. (If more people want private rooms, the capacity is ca. 160.) People from all over the world who want to speak Yiddish for an entire week clamor every year for the limited spaces that there are. We simply can’t afford to give any of those spaces to people who won’t be speaking Yiddish.

top

Demographics

What kind of people come to the YV?

All kinds. All ages, from newborns through nonagenarians. Observant and secular. Orthodox and egalitarian. Mainly Jews, but also a handful of non-Jews. Singles, couples, parents with and without their children, husbands/wives with and without their spouses, widows, widowers and divorcées. From as far as Australia, and as near as Baltimore, MD.

Will there be anyone my age?

No matter what your age, there are other people your age that come. There are children, college and graduate students and people in their 30′s, 40′s, 50′s, 60′s, 70′s, 80′s and 90′s.

Are there any other singles that come?

See above.

top

Activities

What types of activities are there?

First of all, of course, everything is in Yiddish. Each morning (except Shabes) there are activities, with occasional multiple options, including lectures, discussions, workshops, computer-groups, and Yiddish classes. The lectures and discussions are sometimes on Yiddish issues, sometimes on Jewish issues, and sometimes about nothing Jewish whatsoever (like the genome). The afternoon offers more lectures, discussions, sports, and arts activities. There is a pool and a lake open in the morning and the afternoon, with swimming, pedal boating, and row boating. In the evenings, there are campfires, talent shows, concerts, films, TV game shows and klezmer dancing. The above are merely the organized activities. There’s always time for socializing, relaxing, reading, writing, studying, and impromptu hikes or discussions.

Must I attend all the activities?

You can go to as many or as few as you like. Some people come to the YV because they want to relax, read books, go swimming, etc. in a place where everyone speaks Yiddish. Others come because they want to go to every lecture and discussion they can. The schedule will be handed out upon arrival at YV, and will be posted in the main entry hall as well.

What activities will there be for my child?

Please do NOT bring your child if he/she cannot speak Yiddish or is not willing to speak Yiddish with other children. If your child can speak Yiddish pretty well, there are lots of activities for your child. For a small fee, there are morning children’s groups that meet for two hours to do age-appropriate social, education, arts and crafts, and music activities. If your child does not yet speak Yiddish but you would like him/her to start learning, please look into Yiddish classes, Yiddish cassettes and private Yiddish tutors. If you know Yiddish yourself, start working it into your everyday interactions with your child, and after a few months of speaking more and more Yiddish with your child, the child will understand more and more, and will eventually be able to answer more and more. When your child can understand everything and speak at least haltingly, only then will they be able to enjoy and thrive at the YV.

Are there also Yiddish classes for beginners?

No. The YV is the event to aspire to once you can already communicate in Yiddish.

Can I be invited to be a speaker/musician/performer?

Yes and no. If “be invited” means have an opportunity to give a talk or perform in Yiddish, yes. If “be invited” means be hired, no. The YV is a heymish community. Those who lead activities at the YV volunteer to do so. But because some of the top Yiddish experts and talents come to the YV, the program is always top-notch. If you would like to lead an activity, please contact yvokh@yugntruf.org as early as possible so that the organizers can carefully put together a schedule.

Can you send me a schedule of activities?

No. The activities are determined only after everyone has signed up, and the coordinator sees who has volunteered to lead an activity, and what activity they have volunteered to lead. The schedule is usually completed mid-August. If you want, though, there are copies of the previous schedules on the website for your perusal.

top

Registration

Do I have to come for the full week?

No. You can come for as little as one meal. See the registration page for all the options.

Why is the daily rate higher on the weekend?

Supply and demand. There is always room on the weekdays, but we get filled to the brim on the weekends.

Why is the rate for the full week cheaper in some cases than the rate for three days?

When someone comes for just a few days, they are occupying a space that could otherwise be used for the full week. We prefer participants to be full-weekers.

Can I have a time share with someone where I pay for the room for half the week, and they pay for the other half of the week?

No.

I have a summer house nearby. Is there a special commuter rate?

Yes. See this year’s prices here.

Are there any discounts for students? For seniors? For distant travelers?

1) For students, not automatically, but there are scholarships. Contact yvokh@yugntruf.org for more information.

2) For seniors, no.

3) For distant travellers, no, but we encourage you to apply to your local Jewish/Yiddish organization/philanthropy, which may support you – it has happened in the past!

Can I just send my YV registration form now and pay closer to the deadline?

The filled-out YV Registration Form is only valid together with the payment. Do send them together. In order to reserve your preferred room type, send in your full payment as soon as possible.

Can I just make a down payment now and pay the remainder later?

No. Pay the entire amount together as soon as you can, together with the YV Registration Form. In order to reserve your preferred room type, send in your full payment as soon as possible.

Also, if you haven’t paid membership yet this year, do include that in the check as well.

How late can I decide that I want to come to this year’s YV?

You can decide as late as you want, but at your own risk. If you have a specific room preference, we cannot guarantee that a space will be available. The bus from New York also has limited spots, and often fills up early.

Still, 1) there are sometimes cancellations in August, 2) if you have a car and you’re willing and able either to bring and stay in a lower-tier room, to stay in a tent or to commute, it may allow you to sign up to the last minute (though it’s not recommended), and 3) if you’re coming just for a day or two on the weekdays, we may be able to squeeze you in pretty late in the game. Finally, if you need a specific kind of room – in size, location or any other parameter – the answer is: sign up as soon as possible. You will be informed if your room request cannot be granted.

Would you accept payment by credit card? Wire transfer?

1) Yugntruf does have a PayPal account, but we request that those who want to pay via PayPal include the 3% more for the fee that Yugntruf would incur (ex., instead of $500, pay $515; instead of $1000: $1030).

2) You may pay by credit card over the phone or through your registration card.

3) For more details about paying by special methods, please contact the organizers at yvokh@yugntruf.org or 212-889-0381.

4) Otherwise, payment is by check or money order in US dollars (drawn on a US bank), or cash if paid in person (at the Yugntruf office).

Can I have a visitor/guest come for a meal?

The cost for coming for one meal is $25 per person.

Who will my roommate be? I’m worried that we’ll be too different.

The organizers try to get a sense of the people who have requested roommates, and try to match them up accordingly. Age is one determining factor – people of like age are usually matched up. Another factor may be level of Yiddish; i.e., sometimes a weaker Yiddish speaker requests to be with one who is more fluent, and if we can find a complement, we have a match. No one is allowed to smoke anywhere on the premises.

I already paid my membership last year. Why do I have to pay again?

As with most other organizations, Yugntruf membership is annual, and a paid member is one who has paid during the current year. Any adult who comes to the YV must be a paid member.

top

Location and Transportation

Where is the YV located?

At the Pearlstone Retreat Center, 5425 Mt. Gilead Rd., Reisterstown, MD, 21136, USA.

What are the phone and fax numbers of the camp?

Telephone: (410) 429-4400, Fax: (410) 429-4723.

What is the closest airport to the camp? How would I get from that airport to the YV?

The closest airport is Baltimore Washington International Airport. To get from the airport to the camp, you will need to use a car, taxi, shuttle, or van. There are a number of options listed on Pearlstone’s website. If you are planning on arriving in BWI airport, please join the YVairport mailing list to find others arriving at the same time so you can split the costs of transportation to the camp.
The nearest train station is Baltimore Penn Station. Many bus lines also arrive into Baltimore, which is 20-30 minutes from the camp.

Which NYC-area airport is closest to the YV bus that leaves from the bus location?

LaGuardia Airport – about 20 minutes with no traffic. Kennedy and Newark – about 40 minutes with no traffic. The bus will leave from outside of Penn Station, on W30th Street between 7th Ave and 8th Ave, NYC.

If my plane flies into New York the evening before the YV starts, with whom can I stay?

We can find out during the summer if there are any willing hosts. If not, you would need to stay in a hotel, at your expense.

Can I be picked up from the airport?

Unfortunately, we cannot pick you up from the airport. However, you can join the YVairport mailing list to find others arriving at the same time so you can split the costs of transportation to the camp.

Can I rent a car and drive there?

Sure. It’s up to you. If neither the long drive nor the expense are an obstacle, and if you feel you may need to come and go from the campus during the YV, then renting a car may make life easier for you. However, there are no car rental locations within walking distance of Pearlstone, so you would need to rent the car for the entire week.

Can you send me the car directions?

Yes. They are available online on Pearlstone’s website. They’ll also be sent out in early August to those who have signed up for the YV who don’t have internet access.

How long does it take to drive from New York City?

Depending on the driving speed, an average estimate is four hours from midtown Manhattan.

If I think I will be arriving late for the YV-bus, what should I do? / Whom should I call?

All details about the bus will be provided in early August to all those who will have registered at that point.

What is the nearest bus station to the YV? How do I get it? What is the cost?

There is a Metro station 10 miles away from Pearlstone, in Owings Mills. It runs about every 10 minutes from and to the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. The fare is $1.60. The 56 bus runs from the Metro station towards the camp. Its last stop is about 3 miles from the camp. The fare is also $1.60.

Can I be picked up anytime from the bus station?

We will be arranging group pickup times on any days where there are more than a few people arriving by bus. Please plan to arrive during those times; otherwise you will have to arrange for your own transportation from the bus stop to the camp, which is only 5 minutes away. If you do plan on arriving by bus during the week, please contact yvokh@yugntruf.org in advance.

I need to leave the YV early. Can I be dropped off at the bus stop any time?

See above.

Can I catch a 6:00 flight back home on the last day of the YV from a New York airport?

If you’re driving by car straight to the airport, yes. But if you’re traveling by the YV bus, no. The return-time of the YV bus to the NYC is unpredictable due to traffic, pit stops, and the like. So those going by bus should not plan a flight back home on the last day of the YV before 8:30 from LaGuardia, or before 9:00 from Kennedy and Newark. If you make flight reservations earlier than those times, you are doing so at your own risk.

Someone has to meet me at the drop-off point on the way home. Exactly where and at what time should I tell them to meet me?

The bus will drop of at the from outside of Penn Station, at W30th between 7th Ave and 8th Aves, NYC. between 3:00 and 5:00 (depending on traffic).

top

Food

Is the food kosher?

Yes. This is answered in depth here.

What is the food like?

It’s good. It’s healthy, it’s kosher, and it’s tasty. Gourmet cuisine, it’s not.

Can a vegetarian get by?

Absolutely. There are vegetarian alternatives at all meat meals.

top

Kashres (Kashrut) and Religion

How kosher is the food?

The Pearlstone Retreat Center is under the supervision of the Star-K, the local kashrut authority of Baltimore, Md. Any cabins with individual kitchens are not under their supervision, and as such can be used at your discretion.

Do Orthodox Jews attend the YV?

Yes. Usually about 10% of those attending are Orthodox.

Are there Orthodox and/or egalitarian services?

Every year there is a Shabes minyen. We have an Orthodox and egalitarian minyen both Friday night and Saturday morning. Please note both minyonim are held only when there are enough volunteers, who organize themselves beforehand.

top

Back to Yidish-Vokh