Richmond Yiddish Week

02/23/2026

We did it! We reached our $1,800 goal in less than a month! Thank you to all who donated and helped lay the foundation for more Yiddish programming in the RVA area.

This is just the beginning of our fundraising sprint. Right now, we're in the midst of applying for several grants that we hope will help scale Richmond Yiddish Week into something truly magnificent. If you want to chip in, it's not too late to donate to our campaign (link in comments).

Pictured: Heart-shaped dance at RYW 2026 ❤

02/17/2026

Thank you to everyone who donated to our crowdfunding campaign so far! I am happy to report that we have already raised $1,204, bringing us two-thirds of the way to reaching our $1,800 goal.

Already, we have begun dreaming up programs for our next event (which may even take place as soon as this year!). There are so many exciting things happening in the Yiddish cultural space that fortunately we have many options to choose from.

If you haven't already, please consider donating to our crowdfunding campaign so we can lay the groundwork for a successful next iteration of Yiddish Week. Every dollar raised will go a long way!

https://fundraising.fracturedatlas.org/richmond-yiddish-week/campaigns/9ad25a54-d142-4e45-9ca3-0b44564cd081

Link in comments:

A celebration of Yiddish music, culture, and history in the heart of RVA

02/04/2026

We're still getting over the fact that more than 200 individuals showed up to Richmond Yiddish Week last month, totaling 400+ attendances.

This project was brought to life on a shoestring budget by a team of two volunteers. But make no mistake: we faced no shortage of obstacles, naysayers, detractors, and other unpleasantries, along with a steady stream of bureaucratic and community-level challenges along the way.

But in spite of all that, due to overwhelmingly popular demand, we are bringing the festival back. But not without your support.

We are running a crowdfunding campaign to cover essential startup costs for the next festival. We're asking our supporters to help us raise $1,800 – it's not a lot, but can go a long way, considering that the first fest was conjured up out of nothing!

If every festival attendee gave just $10, we'd reach our goal and then some.

So if you want to support Yiddishkayt and Yiddish-themed programming in the RVA area, please consider giving to our crowdfunding campaign. Link in comments:

01/18/2026

Tuesday at UVA!
https://religiousstudies.as.virginia.edu/being-jewish-america-today-series-lili-rosen

01/17/2026

We did it y'all. Richmond Yiddish Week was a smashing success. Thank you to everyone who believed in us and who braved the January cold to make it to our programs (multiple times!). We had a packed room every single night. If this isn't proof of concept, we don't know what is!

What began as an ambitious dream materialized into a vibrant celebration of Yiddish joy with 200 unique participants. There were many twists and turns along the way – not to mention naysayers – but we stayed the course and proved that Yiddish culture is not only alive, but thriving.

A tif un hartsikn dank – a deep and heartfelt thank you to everyone who made this possible. And yes, we'll see you again next year!

With gratitude,
Sam Shokin

01/17/2026

01/14/2026

We made national news – again!

'Even before the concert began, the venue was standing-room only. “This is clearly the place to be in Manchester tonight,” remarked one attendee as he squeezed into a seat.

Before the first set, festival co-founder Samantha Shokin addressed the audience, expressing her delight at the large turnout. “We weren’t sure how many like-minded people we were going to find for a Yiddish culture festival,” she said, “but judging by the crowd it seems like there are a lot of you.” Her remark elicited enthusiastic applause.'

https://forward.com/yiddish-world/797304/yiddish-festival-richmond-virginia/

Yiddish Week isn't over yet! Join us tonight for SHTTL (2022) Film Screening at VCU Commons! Sponsored by the VCU Harry Lyons Chair in Judaic Studies

Richmond Yiddish Week kicks off with a standing-room-only concert and a well-attended children’s program

01/14/2026

What a night!!! Thank you to everyone who came out to see ELECTRIC ROSE: THE ROSE COHEN EXPERIENCE - we sold out. The show was epic. This was a night to remember.

A groysen danke Sarah Myerson Ilya Shneyveys Révéler Experiences

01/13/2026

The festivities continue! We had an amazing time learning Yiddish dance and klezmer music traditions from Cantor Sarah Myerson and Ilya Shneyveys. We even formed a makeshift klezmer band! Thank you to everyone who came out to take part in this special evening, and to Studio Two Three for lending us their wonderful space.

Tonight is the last chance to catch Ilya and Sarah in Richmond, this time performing as the dynamic electronic music duo Electric Rose. Tickets are almost sold out - snag the last ones at https://www.revelerexperiences.com/event/electric-rose-the-rose-cohen-experience

01/12/2026

Tomorrow! We're almost sold out - get your tickets now!

01/12/2026

We had a great time at Yiddish Storytime today with our very own Danny Kraft, pictured here showing us the many expressions of Yetta the Yiddish Chicken! 🐔

Richmond Yiddish Week continues tonight with Yiddish Dance and Instrumental Klezmer Workshop with Sarah Myerson and Ilya Shneyveys. Register at tinyurl.com/YiddishDance