The Hebrew University of Jerusalem has launched its first Ladino International Summer School, an intensive program designed to preserve the endangered Ladino language. The course attracted students from around the world, offering them a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in Ladino language studies and connect with the rich Sephardic Jewish heritage.

 

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is proud to announce the successful completion of its inaugural Ladino International Summer School, an innovative academic program aimed at preserving the endangered Ladino language.

 

Cultural Immersion

This course is the first of its kind in Israel and possibly the world, offering an intensive educational experience dedicated to teaching Ladino, a language deeply rooted in the Sephardic Jewish heritage.

 

The two-week course brought together 28 students, with approximately half of them from Israel, and other from around the world, US, Europe and Asia. The participants, many of whom were drawn to the course by a desire to reconnect with their familial roots, engaged in daily studies focused on Ladino grammar, vocabulary, and cultural history. The immersive curriculum also included research visits to libraries with Ladino collections and guided tours of Jerusalem, where the echoes of Ladino-speaking communities still linger in the historic alleys and buildings.

 

Global Participants

Dr. Ilil Baum, a Ladino lecturer at the Hebrew University and Bar-Ilan University, highlighted the significance of the course in the context of the language’s precarious state: "Ladino is classified as a language in a serious danger of extinction. The younger generations are no longer inheriting it, and today, it is mostly a language of nostalgia, associated with family traditions, cuisine, and folklore."

 

"Ladino is classified as a language in a serious danger of extinction. The younger generations are no longer inheriting it, and today, it is mostly a language of nostalgia, associated with family traditions, cuisine, and folklore." - Dr. Ilil Baum

 

The course also offered students the rare opportunity to engage in direct conversations with veteran Ladino speakers, providing them with a deeper understanding of the language's living history. This interaction not only enriched the students' linguistic skills but also connected them to a broader cultural narrative that transcends borders.

 

This pioneering initiative reflects the Hebrew University’s ongoing commitment to the preservation and promotion of endangered languages. The success of the Ladino Summer Course has instilled hope among its organizers and participants that the Ladino language will continue to be spoken and cherished for generations to come.

 

In these challenging times, Hebrew University of Jerusalem remains dedicated to our mission of building a better future through education and research. We extend our sincere gratitude to friends and partners worldwide who have shown unwavering solidarity during these difficult times. Together, we will overcome the challenges we face, and our joint pursuit of knowledge remains steadfast.