We will read and discuss a selection of Fradl Shtok’s writing in Yiddish, in a supportive environment that encourages each person to speak Yiddish freely and fearlessly to the best of their ability. Students who want to listen rather than read are welcome to join the class. Fradl Shtok (1890-1990) is an enigmatic and captivating writer of passionate poems, sharply observed short stories, and illuminating literary essays. Her short stories capture the nuances of shtetl and immigrant life, peeling away the layers with revealing, ironic perceptions. Shtok’s piercing poems – including her groundbreaking sonnets – are an innovation in Yiddish literature. Her poems are crafted with skill, precision and attention to aesthetics that juxtaposes powerfully with the unrestrained desire that many of her poems embody. Studying Shtok’s texts in Yiddish enables the reader to savor the sensuous sounds, skillful wordplay and musicality that are central to her writing. The course will offer cover a selection of short stories, poems and critical writing by Fradl Shtok.

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