HUC Jewish Language Project

The HUC Jewish Language Project strengthens intergenerational and intercommunal Jewish connections by engaging with the many languages spoken and written by Jews throughout history and around the world.

Language is an important tool for learning about the past and present, remembering our ancestors, and engaging with our communities. The HUC Jewish Language Project harnesses this power for contemporary Jews, highlighting the diversity and unity of the Jewish people.

Most Jews today have heard of Hebrew, Yiddish, and Ladino but are unaware of the many other languages Jews have spoken, from Judeo-Arabic and Judeo-Italian to Jewish Malayalam and Jewish English. Because of migrations and other historical events, many of these languages are endangered. It is imperative that we document and raise awareness about these languages in the next decade – for the sake of the elderly Jews who are their last speakers and for the sake of Jewish children who would benefit from knowing about their multifaceted heritage.

Since the Jewish Language Project launched in 2020, over 2 million people have visited our websites, and we have reached many thousands of others through online events, videos, podcasts, and educational social media posts. Institutions around the world have used our curriculum and exhibits to educate people of all ages and strengthen identities and build connections. This is all possible because of the organizations, activists, and scholars we have convened to document endangered and emerging Jewish languages and explore how language is and could be used in communities and culture.

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Mission

• To strengthen intergenerational and intercommunal Jewish connections by engaging with the many languages spoken and written by Jews throughout history and around the world.

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Vision, by 2045

• Every known Jewish language variety will be well documented
• Jewish language resources will be accessible, increasing individual and communal engagement
• Jews and non-Jews will be more aware of Jewish commonality and diversity
• Jews will feel a stronger connection to far-away Jewish communities, past and present

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Values

• Entrepreneurship: Seeing a problem in the world, dreaming up a solution with limited resources, and implementing it
• Intergenerational engagement: Facilitating mutual learning and enrichment among people of all ages and between contemporary people and their deceased ancestors
• Diversity: Convening people of different ancestral and linguistic backgrounds to learn from each other
• Collaboration: Working with other Jewish and language organizations, building coalitions, and “linking the silos”
• Mentorship: Empowering students, scholars, artists, and activists to expand our impact and build the field
• Responsiveness: Offering prompt replies and support to journalists, educators, organizations, and individuals

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