For more than two millennia, thriving Jewish communities made their homes across Iraq, speaking distinctive Jewish varieties of Arabic. Judeo-Baghdadi Arabic, also known as Yahudic, developed among the Jews of Baghdad and the towns to its south, preserving ancient linguistic features alongside Hebrew and Aramaic elements that set it apart from the Arabic spoken by their Muslim and Christian neighbors. After the mass emigration of Iraqi Jews in the mid-twentieth century, the language began its rapid decline. Today it is critically endangered.
This six-session course is built around everyday Baghdadi Jewish life. Each session takes up a theme, so the words you learn come with their cultural setting. You’ll learn the distinctive sounds of the language, greetings and conversational formulas, and how to talk about family and work, food and drink, and the holidays. The last session covers proverbs, colorful expressions, and yes, the swear words.
Who this is for:
- Anyone curious about the Jewish languages of the Middle East
- Students of Iraqi Jewish history and culture
- Anyone with Iraqi Jewish roots who wants to connect with the language of their family
- Learners who have taken New Lehrhaus’s other Jewish language courses.
What you'll leave with:
- The sounds and basic vocabulary of Judeo-Baghdadi Arabic, with greetings and phrases you can use
- An understanding of the Hebrew and Aramaic elements that set it apart from the Arabic of Baghdad’s Muslim and Christian neighbors
No prior knowledge of Arabic or Hebrew is required.
Schedule: Six Sundays: October 18 and 25; November 1, 8, 15, and 22, 11:30am–1pm Pacific Time
Questions? Our FAQ covers registration, recordings of missed sessions, refunds, and financial assistance.