The Yiddish Farm. Photo Forwards courtesy of Naftali Ejdelman

What better way to connect to Jewish and Yiddish culture than through nature, farming, food, language and torah? The Yiddish Farm in Goshen, New York , just an hour bus ride from Manhattan has all this and more.

Two young and vibrant Jewish professionals, Naftali Ejdelamn and Yisroel Bass set out to expand Yiddish education outside of the confines of a classroom.

I heard about their idea and decided to head over to the farm during the long weekend of Shavuot (Pentecost) to check it out.

As soon as I got off the bus, Naftali and the boys picked me up from the station in a vivid car blasting prime Klezmer music as they drove me to the lush and picturesque site.

Walking into the farmhouse, I hastily made my way to the kitchen which emanated with fumes of deliciously baked “Potato Kugel”.

The experience that followed was incredible. We sang our prayers to the nostalgic “Nigunim” (tunes) of our ancestors from eastern Europe. We learned some Yiddish words and told Yiddish jokes. We stayed up the entire night of Shavuot learning Torah, eating Blintzes and sipping coffee.

The Yiddish Farm runs immersion programs, concerts and parties throughout the entire year. Over the summer students from many places and of all ages will attend their programs. In mid August they will hold their famous “Golus Festival”, a Klezmer music festival that will present the best contemporary musicians of the genre.

Abi Gezunt!

For more information click here to view their site.