TEL AVIV // At first glance, Yiddish phrases such as "oy vey" may seem odd when uttered by Samah Jayosi, a Muslim Palestinian citizen of Israel. Yet the headscarf-wearing 24-year-old is one of several dozen Arab students at a major Israeli university learning about the Yiddish language and the culture of Eastern Europe's Ashkenazi Jews - a rare quest even among most young Israeli Jews who view Yiddish as useless in their daily lives.
For some Arab students, delving into Yiddish may be driven by curiosity about the language or an assumption that the course could be relatively easy because Yiddish is similar to their spoken Hebrew.
For others, like Ms Jayosi, studying Yiddish is at least partly a bid to bolster coexistence between Israel's Jewish majority and Arab minority.
"It's important to be able to understand the other side," she said, standing outside her Yiddish classroom at Bar-Ilan University just outside of Tel Aviv last week and clutching a Yiddish handbook over her pregnant stomach.
Like Ms Jayosi, the about 70 Israeli Arabs enrolled in courses at Bar-Ilan University's Rena Costa Centre for Yiddish Studies account for almost a quarter of the institution's total students this year.
Aside from their interest in Yiddish, their presence at this particular university may itself raise some eyebrows. After all, Bar-Ilan was founded in 1955 by religious Zionists, a group most closely identified with Jewish settlers in the occupied West Bank, territory the Palestinians want as part of their future state. Bar-Ilan - whose campus, unlike other Israeli universities, is filled with dozens of Israeli flags hanging from poles - is also known for perhaps its most notorious ex-student, Yigal Amir, who assassinated the former Israeli premier, Yitzhak Rabin, in 1995.
Mohamad Eissa, a 22-year-old Israeli Arab studying optometry at Bar-Ilan and enrolled in a Yiddish course, said he was concerned initially about discrimination.
"I hesitated to come to this university, but the studies are good, I have both Jewish and Arab friends and haven't met with any racism," he said.
Mr Eissa said he chose to study Yiddish because it was similar to German, a language he speaks after spending part of his childhood in Germany.
Khaled Swete, a 23-year-old Bedouin from a northern Israeli Arab village in his third year at Bar-Ilan, said his curiosity about Yiddish was sparked after taking an Arabic course in 2010 in which he was one of the few Arabs among mostly Jewish students.
"I wondered why they were studying my language and culture, and why shouldn't I study theirs. After all, as Palestinians, we want to know why the Jews came here," he said.
Mr Swete said that studying about the near-extinction of Yiddish culture during the Holocaust changed his view about past experiences such as witnessing Arab pupils in school drawing the Nazi swastika on their chairs and desks.
"They were doing it as a protest against Jews coming to their country, but after learning more about the Nazis and Jewish history in the Yiddish course, I see what they did as a mistake," he added.
With their Yiddish skills, the Arab students are a rare breed. After all, Yiddish is now mainly being kept alive by ultra-Orthodox communities in Israel - where they account for about a tenth of the population of about 8 million - as well as in religious areas of New York City, home to many Holocaust survivors and their families.
Yiddish played a central role in the lives of Jews in Europe, originating in the 10th century in Germany's Jewish communities and becoming widespread in Eastern Europe by the 16th century. Based on medieval German as well as Hebrew and Aramaic, Yiddish was spoken by more than 10 million Jews before the Holocaust.
Despite decades-long predictions of approaching extinction, interest in Yiddish appears to be resurgent. It is now taught in many universities worldwide, is being closely studied by historians and German language experts, and is the language of more than 100 newspapers, magazines, radio broadcasts and websites.
Yiddish has also entered the English language with words like chutzpah - brazen self-confidence; kibitzing - verbally joking; klutz, - clumsy person; and "oy vey" - a show of dismay.
For some Arab students, Yiddish could be a professional boost. Vered Kopel, who teaches Yiddish at Bar-Ilan, said: "One female Arab student wanted to be a social worker and speak to elderly Holocaust survivors in Yiddish. Another Arab lawyer wanted to be able to deal with inquiries from Yiddish-speaking prospective clients."
Ms Jayosi, who majors in Jewish literature and Arabic, said she plans to use Yiddish once she becomes a Hebrew teacher for Arab children.
"Maybe it will help them see that this language and this nation have a complicated history, and they'll understand the other side better."
foreign.desk@thenational.ae
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Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
Destroyer
Director: Karyn Kusama
Cast: Nicole Kidman, Toby Kebbell, Sebastian Stan
Rating: 3/5
UAE release: January 31
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Porsche Taycan Turbo specs
Engine: Two permanent-magnet synchronous AC motors
Transmission: two-speed
Power: 671hp
Torque: 1050Nm
Range: 450km
Price: Dh601,800
On sale: now
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre, twin-turbo V8
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 582bhp
Torque: 730Nm
Price: Dh649,000
On sale: now
The specs
Engine: Turbocharged four-cylinder 2.7-litre
Power: 325hp
Torque: 500Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh189,700
On sale: now
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Vidaamuyarchi
Director: Magizh Thirumeni
Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra
Rating: 4/5
Results
Female 49kg: Mayssa Bastos (BRA) bt Thamires Aquino (BRA); points 0-0 (advantage points points 1-0).
Female 55kg: Bianca Basilio (BRA) bt Amal Amjahid (BEL); points 4-2.
Female 62kg: Beatriz Mesquita (BRA) v Ffion Davies (GBR); 10-2.
Female 70kg: Thamara Silva (BRA) bt Alessandra Moss (AUS); submission.
Female 90kg: Gabreili Passanha (BRA) bt Claire-France Thevenon (FRA); submission.
Male 56kg: Hiago George (BRA) bt Carlos Alberto da Silva (BRA); 2-2 (2-0)
Male 62kg: Gabriel de Sousa (BRA) bt Joao Miyao (BRA); 2-2 (2-1)
Male 69kg: Paulo Miyao (BRA) bt Isaac Doederlein (USA); 2-2 (2-2) Ref decision.
Male 77kg: Tommy Langarkar (NOR) by Oliver Lovell (GBR); submission.
Male 85kg: Rudson Mateus Teles (BRA) bt Faisal Al Ketbi (UAE); 2-2 (1-1) Ref decision.
Male 94kg: Kaynan Duarte (BRA) bt Adam Wardzinski (POL); submission.
Male 110kg: Joao Rocha (BRA) bt Yahia Mansoor Al Hammadi (UAE); submission.
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Nations League
League A, Group 4
Spain v England, 10.45pm (UAE)
Cryopreservation: A timeline
- Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
- Ovarian tissue surgically removed
- Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
- Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
- Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
Kibsons%20Cares
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
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Armies of Sand
By Kenneth Pollack (Oxford University Press)
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
FIXTURES
Monday, January 28
Iran v Japan, Hazza bin Zayed Stadium (6pm)
Tuesday, January 29
UAEv Qatar, Mohamed Bin Zayed Stadium (6pm)
Friday, February 1
Final, Zayed Sports City Stadium (6pm)
Race card:
6.30pm: Maiden; Dh165,000; 2,000m
7.05pm: Handicap; Dh165,000; 2,200m
7.40pm: Conditions; Dh240,000; 1,600m
8.15pm: Handicap; Dh190,000; 2,000m
8.50pm: The Garhoud Sprint Listed; Dh265,000; 1,200m
9.25pm: Handicap; Dh170,000; 1,600m
10pm: Handicap; Dh190,000; 1,400m
Kandahar%20
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Juventus v Napoli, Sunday, 10.45pm (UAE)
Match on Bein Sports
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
PROFILE OF HALAN
Started: November 2017
Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport and logistics
Size: 150 employees
Investment: approximately $8 million
Investors include: Singapore’s Battery Road Digital Holdings, Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, Uber co-founder and former CTO Oscar Salazar
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
MATCH INFO
Europa League semi-final, second leg
Atletico Madrid (1) v Arsenal (1)
Where: Wanda Metropolitano
When: Thursday, kick-off 10.45pm
Live: On BeIN Sports HD
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RESULTS
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,200m
Winner: Ferdous, Szczepan Mazur (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer)
5.30pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-3 Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 2,400m
Winner: Basmah, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
6pm: UAE Arabian Derby Prestige (PA) Dh150,000 2,200m
Winner: Ihtesham, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
6.30pm: Emirates Championship Group 1 (PA) Dh1,000,000 2,200m
Winner: Somoud, Patrick Cosgrave, Ahmed Al Mehairbi
7pm: Abu Dhabi Championship Group 3 (TB) Dh380,000 2,200m
Winner: GM Hopkins, Patrick Cosgrave, Jaber Ramadhan
7.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Conditions (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m
Winner: AF Al Bairaq, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
ACC 2019: The winners in full
Best Actress Maha Alemi, Sofia
Best Actor Mohamed Dhrif, Weldi
Best Screenplay Meryem Benm’Barek, Sofia
Best Documentary Of Fathers and Sons by Talal Derki
Best Film Yomeddine by Abu Bakr Shawky
Best Director Nadine Labaki, Capernaum
MATCH INFO
Rugby World Cup (all times UAE)
Final: England v South Africa, Saturday, 1pm
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
South Africa's T20 squad
Duminy (c), Behardien, Dala, De Villiers, Hendricks, Jonker, Klaasen (wkt), Miller, Morris, Paterson, Phangiso, Phehlukwayo, Shamsi, Smuts.
When is VAR used?
• Goals
• Penalty decisions
• Direct red-card incidents
• Mistaken identity
Emergency
Director: Kangana Ranaut
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
Rating: 2/5