Everyday Ashkenazi Magic Course, Part 2, March 2024

Do you have a relative who had their name changed to fool the Angel of Death? Does your family have its own traditions of unusual food and drink for healing? Do you want to learn more about the Ashkenazi women’s practice of measuring graves for “soul candles”? Is your favorite part of “Fiddler on the Roof” when Frume-Sore makes her appearance in Tevye’s dream? In this class, we will cover all of that, and even more fascinating examples of everyday Ashkenazi magic. Using the framework of the "Great" and "Little" traditions, we will explore the local, vernacular, often female-centered beliefs and practices (the "Little Tradition") which organized traditional Eastern European Jewish life, operating alongside the "Great Tradition" of the male-centered sphere of elite learning and prayer.

This course is a Part 2, following on from Part 1 which just wrapped up. But there is no pre-requisite for registration. This is for anyone who wants to learn more about these traditions in English while diving into some of the Yiddish-language texts where they are found. (Don’t worry, English translations will be provided.) Yiddish beginners who want to stretch their language skills are warmly welcomed.

Sundays at 8 PM-9:15 PM EST, March 3 - March 24

All sessions held via zoom. Recordings will be made available to registrants.

Registration is $100 for the 4 sessions

Discount price for students and artists: $50

Email kongres@earthlink.net to register.