Miriam Koral

Professor Miri Koral is the Continuing Lecturer in Yiddish and holds a joint appointment in the UCLA Department of European Languages and Transcultural Studies and the UCLA Center for Jewish Studies.  In her 25+ -year tenure at UCLA, she has taught a great many students not only the basic skills of the Yiddish language but has also introduced them to one of the greatest of world literatures in the original language and in translation.  A native Yiddish speaker and poet herself, she is able to transmit the nuances of the language as well as its rich cultural references. 

The GE Yiddish Film class (Becoming Modern as Reflected in Yiddish Cinema and Literature) that Professor Koral originated and teaches firmly places Yiddish culture and social history in the context of American and world cultures and global events, highlighting its resilience and surprising cultural and societal influences. This is the only university-level Yiddish film class in the world.

The Yiddish Literature in Translation class introduces students to a rich variety of literary voices from renowned writers who wrote in Eastern Europe and in the US, spanning over a century. Wherever possible, films are also introduced to enhance appreciation for the array of genres covered, from poetry and novels to plays.    

Professor Koral is also one of the leading figures of the Yiddish revival in the world, having in 1999 established the nonprofit organization the California Institute for Yiddish Culture and Language (CIYCL) (www.yiddishi.org). In addition to CIYCL’s many seminal programs and collaborations with UCLA, its regular events featuring diverse aspects of Yiddish culture reach a worldwide audience. 

A popular dialect coach and translator, Professor Koral has also had behind-the-scenes roles in many tv shows and films that use Yiddish dialogue.