yiddish book center

FaithJ_Vancouver

I love Yiddish, but I'm sure people who don't know anything about it will get a lot out of the exhibits. There's also a wonderful bookstore, focussed on East European Jewish culture but including fun children's books and other stuff. Combine it with a visit to the Eric Carle Museum, and you've got yourself a great afternoon in Amherst.

Lucypower48

The Yiddish Book Center is an enormous collection of books that have been, and continue to be, collected from all over the world. The Center preserves the written materials of this amazingly rich language, as well as providing opportunities to learn the language. Their oral history project collects testimonials from Jews of many nationalities and backgrounds. They also have musical and film events. A very rich cultural experience.

Lovetraveling199

This is a free museum that tells the story of the Jewish Faith very well. Don't skip the introductory film as it cronicals the amazing history of the museum and will help you to understand the purpose of the Center and depth of the collections. There are interactive exhibits for kids and special exhibits to see. There is a lot of information related to the Holocaust. You can visit for an hour or stay for the day. Staff is helpful and welcoming. I live close to this museum and wound up there somewhat by accident. It was a really interesting place and easy to fit into a busy schedule. Don't miss it.

MalcolmR757

The Yiddish Book Center is a treasure and wealth of information with largest collection of Yiddish books. 3rd annual Yid-Stock was over the top, six different Klezmer bands and workshops.

PhyllisHW746

This is an amazing place -- library, museum, and much more. I only had time this trip to glance around at what was new since my last visit a few years ago and to purchase some Yiddish-themed gifts in the bookstore. The receptionist was especially helpful at pointing out new areas Abe exhibits.

Denndy

We have been members of the Yiddish Book Center for many years and particularly enjoy the special programs throughout the year. The experience begins with the architecture of the museum which appears to be a "schtetl" (village) located in an orchard. The setting is a lovely place to enjoy a picnic lunch (which you'll need to bring as there is no food service).There is an interesting permanent exhibit and volunteer docents are available for tours (best to call or check the website for times and availability). There are shelves and shelves of Yiddish books on the main floor and various other archival materials. There's also quite a nice museum shop.Various concerts, lectures, and workshops are held throughout the year in the auditoriums. Coming up in July is the annual Yidstock event which includes a series of events, this year commencing on the evening of Thursday July 17 or continuing on thru the evening of Sunday July 20.

raethecpa

Here I thought that for all intensive purposes Yiddish was a dead language. But with 1.5 million Yiddish books as a foundation, there are classes, programs, a gift store and much more to stimulate interest in keeping Yiddish alive.

V8544DDandream

I'm a student at UMass and I had read the book about Aaron Lansky's mission to save a million Yiddish books. The Yiddish Book Center was one of the inspiring reasons that brought me to UMass, and when I saw it I was not disappointed! Highlights included a Yiddish printing press and Yiddish sheet music!

Anyanwubutler

We went out of our way on a snowy, slushy, lousy drive to the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art from Great Barrington to find out this was around a few corners also on the Hampshire College in Amherst was a very pleasant surprise. (For some of us this was a pleasant surprise. Others of us don't always do well with surprise...)We saw the short film that did a bit to explain this amazing place first. Then we walked around the place, on a sort of self- guided tour. It's a wonderful place. Please go if you're are nearby! (And the weather's not horrible.)I enjoyed the galleries full of family photos, the videos of people made by the museum staff, the old movies of Yiddish performers, the children's book section, and the books books books!!! What a lovely building!

RFMezzy

Very impressive and beautiful place -- the mission of one young man (Aaron Lansky) who set out 35 years ago to preserve Yiddish books which were otherwise being thrown out because the next generation could not read Yiddish. The Book Center runs many educational programs to preserve the Yiddish language and get young people interested. I found it moving and educational. Highly recommended.

520RobertS

People of the Book - All! For starters, be sure to see the ten-minute Introduction to the Yiddish Book Center. Not to be missed... Check out the superb oral histories and impressive variety of presentations - some a collage of voice(s), a coming together of photos, a clever and dynamic range of visuals.I'm in agreement with "Dance! Sing! Celebrate!" A review that you'll see "below"...

875MS

Lansky and the staff are heroes for saving a dying culture! Bravo - thank you! We've been to Yidstock twice, and it is just getting better. Great music, excellent exhibits, bring your dancing shoes.

nushki65

Such a reach, almost extinct culture, so beautifully and accessibly presented! it was heart warming.

MDR47

I just returned from visiting The Yiddish Book Center where hundreds of thousands of books written in Yiddish have been saved for present and future generations. The Book Center is a place that honors tradition and reveals the importance of not allowing things of beauty to be destroyed. Reading about Aaron Lansky's determination to preserve Yiddish language books from all over the world was awe-inspiring. This Center is phenomenal to visit. I highly recommend it.

WalterR851

The center needs a weekend to absorb all the history and culture of this gem of a venue near Hampshire College in Amherst. Anyone with a background or ancestors who spoke Yiddish should spend a weekend here.