They gathered near a corner of Central Park to keep alive the old beloved language of their people by passing it on to a new member of their household. It was time for their dogs to learn Yiddish.
The Yiddish For Dogs class was convened by a community organisation that seeks to celebrate and preserve Jewish heritage and culture. The language has fallen out of use in thousands of homes and there are fears that it could soon be limited to Orthodox enclaves. Workmen’s Circle has sought to counter the trend by organising Yiddish classes and retreats. Now it has broadened the drive to include pet owners who would like to shout at their dogs in the language of their parents and grandparents.
Read the full article by Will Pavia of The Times, at The Australian (subscription only).