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Information on individual events listed below.
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How Yiddish Has Shaped America
Presented by Harvey Buchalter
March 29, 2026 at 1pm
Jewish Community Center of Greater Albuquerque
5520 Wyoming Blvd NE, 87109
Yiddish, or “mama loshen,” if you prefer, has shaped the way we communicate with one another, with Yiddish words becoming “Americanized” all the time. Who doesn’t know what a “nosh” is? Or what “gelt” means? But there are many less familiar words – all of fascinating origin- whose meaning is so much more descriptive than English words could ever be. Think “shlep,” for example. In his presentation Harvey will give a brief history of Yiddish, its immigration story, and how Yiddish keeps itself alive.
For almost 30 years, Harvey has been a teacher, writer, and translator in Yiddish. He created the “Vinkel” of Albuquerque, NM, where he is the principal reader of short stories, essays, and poetry – all in Yiddish. He acquired his love of Yiddish growing up in the Bronx and continued his studies in the Workmans’ Circle Shules before service in the Peace Corps, teaching high school for almost thirty years, and also serving as three-time president of Congregation B’nai Israel in his adopted city. He spends his days and many nights creating Judaica in a great variety of wood and stone sculpture. Harvey received a BA from Brooklyn College of the City University of New York and an MA from the University of New Mexico.
For more information email admin@nmjhs.org or call 505-348-4471
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