Between Two Worlds: Exploring Yiddish Literature and Culture at NLRPLS

How a Yiddish Book Center Workshop Is Shaping Community Conversations in 2026 - By Colby Sansom

In 2026, NLRPLS invites you to navigate between the many worlds in which we exist and to witness the dynamic threads weaving the tapestry of our co-existence. Next year, join me and your community for a splendid dive into the world of Yiddish literature, presented as part of the Yiddish Book Center's Public Libraries Program, in partnership with the ALA and funded by the Lilly Endowment, Inc.   

Sholem aleykhem, hello! It is lovely to have you join me on this journey to Yiddishland, a place that preserves and maintains Yiddish language and culture.

My name is Colby, and I am a Community Educator at NLRPLS’s Argenta Branch. In October, I traveled to Amherst, Massachusetts to join a cohort of nearly 40 librarians for the 2025 “Between Two Worlds” workshop at the Yiddish Book Center.

The Yiddish Book Center exists as the Yiddishland I described earlier: a robust sanctuary of Yiddish education and literature dedicated to preserving and maintaining Yiddish language and culture. Upon arrival, the beautiful halls of the Center quickly became a newfound home for the duration of our three-day workshop.

Over the course of just a few days, my cohort and I were immersed in as much Yiddish culture, history, music, and art as time allowed. Book discussions featuring titles from our upcoming Between Two Worlds programming were a prominent fixture, including a talk led by Anita Norich, the translator of A Jewish Refugee in New York. Being surrounded by librarians and educators who were equally eager to absorb as much knowledge about Yiddish as possible was invigorating, both professionally and as a lifelong student.

Entering the workshop with little knowledge of Yiddish history, my time at the Yiddish Book Center helped me develop a deeper understanding of the role of the Yiddish language. It functions as a secular diasporic language, serving as connective tissue between an uprooted Yiddish culture and Judaism. Yiddish represents a multi-century cultural dialogue that stretches across geopolitical boundaries while reflecting the rich art and history of its people.

Yiddish literature is dynamic, accessible, and far surpasses the word “interesting,” especially for those unfamiliar with it. These stories offer an ornate window into the diaspora, revealing the depth and creativity of the culture without glossing over the mundane or its own flaws. They are part of an ongoing human dialogue that does not seek to distance itself from or deny its humanity. It is this persistent humanity, the vibrant stories of resilience and growth alongside captivating tales of tragedy and defeat, that I invite you to explore with me.

Look for more about Colby's journey and how he will share it with the NLRPLS community soon.