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Yiddish Tkhines Songwriting Cohort, Spring 2026/5786 Application and Interest Form- Due 2/05/26

Calling songwriters of all levels and lower intermediate to advanced students of Yiddish to apply for The Spring Yiddish Tkhines Songwriting Cohort! Applications are due on Thursday February 5, 2026 Yiddish Tkhines are Ashkenazi supplications that were/are regularly written and prayed by, and centered the experiences of women, trans, and gender non-conforming people. Der Tkhines Proyekt offers resources and interactive workshops which teach new melodies paired with old Yiddish tkhines, and uplifts the tradition of zogn tkhines, of speaking and writing spontaneous prayers as practiced by generations of Jewish grandmothers and trAncestors. When: Wednesday evenings, 5-6:30pm ET on zoom. (You can pick other dates and times to meet with your khevruse) The Cohort begins on Wednesday, February 11 -- March 25th. Who: + People of all ages who move with mentshlekh and anti-oppression values + People who can engage with the Yiddish language at an intermediate to advanced level. (We will be reading original, mostly untranslated yiddish tkhines) + People who have any amount of songwriting experience creating new melodies or lyrics. + Two people can apply together as a khevruse/team if one has Yiddish language skills, and the other is interested in creating new Yiddish songs, yet is not at an intermediate Yiddish level. (Please indicate that you are applying together!) What we will do together: + Dive into untranslated Yiddish Tkhines in order to glean teachings and potential songs + Learn about what tkhines are, the textures of tkhines and unaccompanied Yiddish song, vocal ornamentations, and how to apply techniques to your songwriting + Work in khevruse (pair study) with other cohort members + Create and record at least 2 new tkhines songs, and include them on the tkhines soundcloud https://soundcloud.com/tkhines + Perform and share your songs with the public for a live zoom concert around peysekh/passover time, which will also serve as a fundraiser for both Der Tkhines Proyekt and Rad Yiddish Time commitment: +1.5 hours per week to meet as a full cohort to learn about tkhines, songwriting, and group translation of yiddish tkhines + Around 1 hour per week of self-directed time with your khevruse (study partner) + You will be encouraged to attend specific outside learning opportunities related to Yiddish singing + As much solo time as you need to create new melodies and songs Location: Our sessions will be online via zoom. If your khevruse (study partner) is local, you are welcome to meet in person Cost: Sliding scale $150—$375. Please email and be in touch if this cost is not financially accessible to you. (notaflof, truly)
This will be a learning space welcome to all applicants, especially ones who are on the margins. This includes but is not limited to: people who are BIPOC, Sephardi, Mizrahi, Ashkenazi, trans, queer, gender-expansive, single, women, disabled, immunocompromised, neurodivergent, fat, poor, working class, converts to Judaism, Jewish, non-Jewish, anti-imperialist/anti-zionist, and people who have politically leftist leanings, etc.
 The application process will strive to challenge dynamics of nepotism and in-group favoritism. If you are newer to the yiddish/klezmer/songwriting/Ashkenazi cultural scenes: barukh haboh (welcome) and we are glad to have you! Please email zogtkhines@gmail.com with any questions about the spring cohort, and check out www.spontaneousprayer.com for more general info about Der Tkhines Proyekt Applications are due on Thursday, February 5, 2026.

What is your name and what are your pronouns?

What is your email?

What are some identities/experiences that you carry?

How did you hear about Der Tkhines Proyekt, and about this cohort?

Why do you want to be part of this cohort? What about tkhines and songwriting interests you?

People tend to connect themes found in tkhines from the past to current-day experiences or events. For example, people have applied old tkhines that speak to the horrors of genocide and violence, and have applied them to today's current events. 

Have you ever "discovered" something from generations ago and repurposed it to match your own or your generation's experience? What was the process like for you? If you cant think of a specific example, how do you imagine it will feel to move through this process?

Besides the cohort-wide classes, participants are encouraged to carve out space for self-directed learning time— both in khevruse and on your own. Are you willing to manage time with your khevruse, along with putting aside time to read through tkhines and create songs on your own? 

Besides the cohort-wide classes, participants are encouraged to carve out space for self-directed learning time— both in khevruse and on your own. Are you willing to manage time with your khevruse, along with putting aside time to read through tkhines and create songs on your own? 
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How do you show up to khevruse learning (being paired with another person to study and discuss a text)? How would you want your khevruse (study partner) to show up to your learning? Are you open to being "accountabili-buddies" with your khevruse?

This class is intended for people who have some prior experience in translating Yiddish with the help of dictionaries. You will be placed in Khevruse pairs based on your level of Yiddish. Where would you place yourself?

This class is intended for people who have some prior experience in translating Yiddish with the help of dictionaries. You will be placed in Khevruse pairs based on your level of Yiddish. Where would you place yourself?
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Do you have mentors in Yiddish language or song/music that you have learned with in the past, and could reach towards for support as you explore tkhines and create new songs? If yes, who? (Its totally ok if not!)

What type of songs have you created before? What music genres and teachings influence your songwriting?

I'd love to hear your music! Please email 1 or 2 audio files of songs or melodies you have previously written in any language to zogtkhines@gmail.com (scrappy phone recordings are very welcome)

I'd love to hear your music! Please email 1 or 2 audio files of songs or melodies you have previously written in any language to zogtkhines@gmail.com (scrappy phone recordings are very welcome)
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We want you to be here! How can this space be accessible to you for our cohort-wide workshop spaces?

This cohort will need a few people to volunteer their time/creative energy in order to make things happen. Are there any roles below that you’d be able to support with? (NOPE is an okay answer!)

This cohort will need a few people to volunteer their time/creative energy in order to make things happen. Are there any roles below that you’d be able to support with? (NOPE is an okay answer!)
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If the cohort is full, would you still like to be added to the Der Tkhines Proyekt mailing list for updates and other opportunities?

Do you have any other questions?

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