Yesterday’s Worker’s Circle open house zoom
trying out Yiddish classes
(I come to Yiddish because
my grandmother had many colorful expressions
she translated with liberal extravagance
such as Farbissen: a face just like a dried out prune)
Peter says I like the Israeli TV
show The Rehearsals because everyone
is like the kind of Old Jew I’ve loved
all my life even before I became one
I went into breakout rooms trying out
teachers a young appealing man
in Breakout 11 named Moishele answered,
when I asked what brings you to Yiddish
Moishele said I’m the youngest son of an Italian family
from Mississippi and I’ve been always been
drawn to Yiddish. I converted and moved
to Miami and now I’m a Yiddish teacher.
If I can figure out how to find the time
for Yiddish immersion, Moishele from Mississippi
will be my teacher.
Why yes of course.
The word even sounds bitter.