Dear YNY Participants,
Each year we gather together to share in art, creativity, and learning of all sorts to sustain, nurture, and celebrate Yiddish culture. Welcoming individuals with a diversity of experiences, beliefs, and interests has strengthened Yiddish New York’s programming year after year.
The tragic situation in Israel and Palestine continues to weigh on everyone’s hearts and minds, and has become a source of division in our community. We know that a diversity of opinions, beliefs, and feelings on this subject will be present at YNY this year among students, performers, faculty, and staff members.
As we enter into the festival, we ask that our common thread here, a love for Yiddish and our community, be at the center of our time together. Artists, scholars, and educators will be presenting programs that they have devoted countless hours to preparing. As always, views expressed in YNY programs do not necessarily represent those of YNY.
With this in mind, we have set some guidelines around conduct:
- Please be a mentsh!
- Please help keep YNY a welcoming environment for all and honor the hospitality of our host, Hebrew Union College.
- Please be mindful of how overt political displays—including slogans, images, or symbols worn on clothing or accessories—may affect others and detract from the communal and creative focus of the festival.
- If Zoom chats divert too far from the course subject and distract from the presentation, administration reserves the right to turn the chat off or remove individuals from the program.
- Conversations in public spaces that become disruptive to YNY’s activities will be asked to disband.
- Absolutely no violence, discrimination, or destruction of property will be tolerated at Yiddish New York. No unauthorized signage is to be affixed to walls or doors.
- If disruptions occur during programs or on-site events, individuals may be removed from the festival.
- Bring questions/concerns to Pete Rushefsky 917-326-9659, prushefsky@ctmd.org (Pete is usually jamming near YNY’s Pupik Information Desk on HUC’s Conference [Lower] Level, or by the Merchandise Table during concerts).
- Please be a mentsh!
Thank you for joining us at Yiddish New York. We look forward to sharing many wonderful experiences with you this year!
Sincerely,
The Yiddish New York Team