Yiddish music conveys more than just words; it conveys a vibrant and colorful culture. So when residents of The Selfhelp Home wanted to start Yiddish group, it naturally transitioned into a Yiddish music class.

Residents gather every Friday morning to listen to Yiddish music, read lyrics in Yiddish and English, and discuss thoughts on the songs.

“People really seem to feel connected to the music, so it morphed into a Yiddish music group,” said Benna Kessler, director of resident engagement at The Selfhelp Home. “This way, anybody can participate, not just people who speak Yiddish.”

Kessler grew up speaking Yiddish at home with her mother, Sheva Zucker, a well-known Yiddish teacher who wrote two widely used Yiddish textbooks. Kessler runs the Selfhelp class and also teaches a Yiddish class at the Chicago YIVO Society and the Chicago Workers Circle.

Kessler shares the lyrics of the songs in Yiddish and English, so everyone can follow along. She discusses background about the performers, the songs, and the culture. Now held socially distanced in person in Selfhelp’s social hall, the class took place over Zoom during the pandemic–and members of the community are still welcome to attend via zoom.

“People know a few really famous songs, like ‘Afn Pripetchik’ or ‘ Tumbalalaika .’ But people are often surprised to learn how many songs there are,” Kessler said. “There are songs that are funny, there are songs that are sad — just as in any other language. But somehow with Yiddish, things often get minimized to jokes, so I’m enjoying getting to share a broader aspect with people.”

Through music, the program keeps residents connected to the Yiddish language and to each other.

For information about the Yiddish music class and other programming at The Selfhelp Home, check out the calendar of upcoming events at selfhelphome.org/calendar .

Eve Becker is a freelance writer in Chicago.