Yiddish class treated with music to sing along

When Bill Shamis and Mimi Shader performed at Chambrel on March 21, participants of all ages knew the words to “Tumbalalaika,” “Hava Nagila” and “Simintov and Mazel Tov.” Most also knew “My Yiddisha Mama,” “Bamir Bistu Sheyn” and many more.

“Many participants talked about their full recall of Yiddish tunes that they had not heard in more than 50 years,” commented Nancy Ludin, executive director of the Jewish Pavilion.

The Pavilion offers a monthly Yiddish class, taught by Joan Pohl, a speech pathologist. Her class is free and open to the community on the third Thursday of the month at Chambrel in Longwood.

The Pavilion also offers weekly Sabbath services and holiday festivities. “After every service or event, many residents come up to me and thank the Pavilion for bringing Jewish culture to their facility,” Ludin said. About a quarter of the thirty participants in the Yiddish class live at Chambrel.