Have the author speak to your group;
please email him
An extensive compendium of subjects of interest to Yiddishists everywhere — from news to schmooze. They publish a free online monthly newsletter with links to all things Yiddish, as well as a listing
of prominent Yiddish and English-language newspapers and magazines published in the United States, Israel and France.
A national weekly newspaper offering diverse coverage and opinions in Yiddish.
A national weekly English-language Jewish newspaper covering news, arts and letters;
offers insightful, thoughtful opinions.
An energetic, irregular blog providing articles and strong opinions on an eclectic mix of topics.
One of the largest online publications, featuring more than two thousand contributors
espousing a myriad of viewpoints on most every subject, with a bisl Yiddish here, here and here.
International Association of Yiddish Clubs
Provides a network for Yiddish groups to exchange educational and cultural materials;
lists Yiddish clubs around the United States and abroad.
An online publication from Israel providing extensive writings on a multitude of Jewish subjects.
Survivor stories include Chayale Ash, Adam Cintz and Edith Tarjan;
see also this Eastern European story and this reminiscence.
Information on all things Jewish, including the history and development of Yiddish.
Offers many Yiddish links.
A site dedicated to the promulgation of Klezmer music and Yiddish events in Northern California.
Lists cultural sources, including classes.
Offers an extensive one-month summer program in Yiddish language and literature,
for beginners to advanced, and credit courses at Vilnius University.
Encourages Jewish life, especially through Yiddish culture and education,
and the pursuit of social and economic justice.
Workmen’s Circle Jewish Book Center
Offers books, CDs and tapes in Yiddish, English and Hebrew about a cornucopia of Jewish subjects.
The Yiddish Book Center has worked to rescue more than a million Yiddish and other modern
Jewish books, and open up their content to the world. Free online access to 11,000 books.
A guide to the Roman spelling of Yiddish words; offers helpful Yiddish grammar tables,
and an easy-to-use online Yiddish dictionary.
A look at contemporary Yiddish language culture through the eyes of Chayale Ash,
a Yiddish actress and Holocaust survivor, and Philip “Fishl” Kutner, editor of Der Bay.
A collaboration between brother-and-sister team Shaul and Shulamit Seidler-Feller. As the name implies,
a new word is added every week, along with photos, comprehensive definitions and etymologies.
YIVO Institute for Jewish Research
A resource center for Eastern European Jewish Studies, Yiddish language, literature and folklore,
and the American Jewish immigrant experience.
Now available!
The book can now be purchased at createspace, a division of Amazon.
You can also join the email list for The Oy Way.
May 2012
Thursday May 17, from 2 until 3:30 pm
I will be speaking at Jewish Family and Children Services, 2150 Post Street, San Francisco.
Wednesday, May 9, from 1 until 3 pm
I will be speaking to the Café by the Bay Holocaust Survivors, at Jewish Family and Children Services,
299 Channing Avenue, Palo Alto.
April 2012
Friday, April 27 at 7 pm
I spoke at Hillel of Silicon Valley, 44 South 11th Street, San Jose.
Monday, April 9 at 7:30 pm
I spoke and signed books at the Capitola Book Café, 1475 41st Avenue, Capitola.
March 2012
Thursday, March 15 from 3 until 5 pm
I participated in a Book Authors’ Reception in rooms 225/229 of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Library
at San Jose State University, on the corner of Fourth and San Fernando Streets.
Sunday, March 11 at noon
I spoke to the Silicon Valley Holocaust Survivors Association
at the Chai House, 814 St. Elizabeth Drive, San Jose.
Thursday, March 8 at noon
I spoke at Congregation Shir Hadash, 20 Cherry Blossom Lane, Los Gatos.
February 2012
The Oy Way reviewed by the Spartan Daily.
January 2012
The Oy Way published and ready for distribution.
November/December 2011
Design and layout completed.
The Oy Way writing to be completed and edited.
Movements successfully tested by a Tai Ji group at Esalen in Big Sur, California.
November 2011
All photography completed at various locations by Amy Gotliffe.
Website updated to include “What’s Nu?”, “What’s Being Said?”, and “Who Is Who?”.
October 2011
All movements written and approved by Yiddish advisor, Philip “Fishl” Kutner.
September 2011
Web site notification sent to more than 1500 email addresses.
August 2011
Promotional brochure printed.
International Association of Yiddish Clubs Annual Conference, Novi, Michigan.
Introduction of The Oy Way at our display booth for test marketing.
Presentation session with audience doing movements.
The next day, I am approached by an 84-year-old man in the hall;
he goes into a movement stance and says “gey avek.” He laughs and walks away.
July 2011
Web site created by Stephen Pollard, promotional brochure written.
“I thoroughly enjoyed your very funny and meditative book, The Oy Way.”
Aaron Lansky
President, Yiddish Book Center
“We’ve all had a good laugh reading through The Oy Way. It was delightful, and we certainly need to learn to relax.”
Matthew Fishbane
Senior editor, Tablet magazine
“The Oy Way manages to combine Jewish history and humor in a manner that brings much delight to the reader. Whether you grew up speaking and hearing Yiddish or the language is completely foreign to you, it is inevitable that chuckles will arise as soon as you discover the phrases and stances proposed in this lovable piece of literature.
“Gotliffe brings to life such phrases as gay avek (get out of here) and gib a kuk (give a look). Many of these phrases
I have heard hundreds of times and thought little of it, but to fully understand the history and meaning behind them has brought great joy to my day and more in-depth understanding of the language spoken, even today, by my grandparents.”
Amanda Orrin
Editor, JValley News
“Gotliffe shows what decades of college-level teaching can do for a speaker: produce a lively, informative, engaging presentation that brought joy to the Holocaust survivors. It was complete with handouts, audience participation,
and some great takeaways to impress friends and family with your newfound Yiddish language skills.
“The Oy Way presentation: Come for the Yiddish, stay for the tai chi, and enjoy Gotliffe’s heartfelt, enthusiastic spiel along the way.”
Dave Clarke
Child of Holocaust survivors, at the Silicon Valley Holocaust Survivors Association
“Dr. Gotliffe is a dynamic speaker, whose clever book concept translates in to a very enjoyable presentation. He had a couple of dozen seniors smiling through tai chi–like stretches while using classic Yiddish expressions. What a wonderful way to spend an afternoon!”
Shanda Kaplowitz
Religious School administrator at Congregation Shir Hadash
Los Gatos, California
“As a person of non-Jewish background, I thought The Oy Way was a humorous, yet introspective book that dives into the rich history of the Yiddish language and culture. The addition of the tai chi movements to each Yiddish expression provides a visual treat that illustrates the little complexities of Yiddish jargon.”
Julie Tran
Spartan Daily
“Long-time supporter Harvey Gotliffe organized several events that brought together former Japanese American internees and Holocaust survivors so that they could discuss their own personal stories.
“While few members of the Japanese American community were able to speak Yiddish, Harvey has published
a book that might resolve that situation. The Oy Way is an entertaining book that that helps readers learn thirty-six Yiddish expressions while engaging in a restorative, meditative, moving exercise experience.”
San Jose Japanese American Museum newsletter
“Harvey was a very popular presenter at the last International Association of Yiddish Clubs in Detroit. He is an Oy Way Master.”
Philip “Fishl” Kutner
Editor, Der Bay
“The Oy Way is a great way for newcomers to Yiddish, as well as those who have spoken it for decades,
to enjoy the pleasures of this mama loshen (mother tongue) in a most enjoyable and different way.”
Eugene Driker
Chair, Yiddish Book Center
“Humor research has concluded that 20 seconds of hearty laughter is equivalent to 20 minutes on a rowing machine.
With The Oy Way, you can enjoy both simultaneously.”
Paul Krassner
Author and satirist
“Should be more than a hoot and enlightening to many.”
Chungliang Al Huang
Founder-president, Living Tao Foundation;
author or co-author of a dozen books about Tai Ji and Eastern philosophy
“It works! After reading only a few pages of The Oy Way and following the easy-to-understand instructions,
I laughed so hard that I could say gey avek to all my mental and physical pain. I love the photos too.”
Judith A. Sokoloff
Editor, Na’Amat USA Woman magazine
“Sure to be a hit with Judeo-yoginis and spiritual fitness buffs of all faiths and persuasions.”
Stephen Kessler
Author of Tell It to the Rabbis and The Tolstoy of the Zulus
“The Oy Way combines some form of physical relaxation therapy with Yiddish vocabulary and phrases.
Partly in jest, partly seriously, the author describes movements and exercises that are meant to lead a person
down the ‘path of most resistance.’ So if you’re looking for something entertaining, therapeutic, and Yiddish-related,
this might be the book for you.”
Shaul Seidler-Feller
Co-creator of Yiddish Word-of-the Week
“This is going to be an excellent book to give as a present.”
Jay Coleman
Writer, editor, founder of Coleman Communications
“Lessons from the Oy Way Master himself.”
Dave Mora
Novelist, editor, co-founder of Core Fitness Company
“I love it! Can’t get over the humor!”
Peter Garrone
Artist and writer, New Jersey
“If I never get through the actual gestures . . . I will exercise my stomach muscles through stress-relieving laughter.”
Tim Mitchell
Art director, graphic design lecturer, San Jose State University
“The Oy Way great idea. Lets you know how to put your Yiddish into action.”
Katherine Forrest, MD
Co-founder, The Commonweal Institute
“This is fantastic!”
Brian Halprin
Architect, Michigan
Harvey Gotliffe Author and Oy Way master; see here, here and here
Carmen Sarah Santos Ballesteros Gotliffe Movement testing and evaluation
Amy Gotliffe Photographer
Stephen Pollard Design and syntactical enhancement
Philip “Fishl” Kutner Yiddish usage advisor
Dr. Stanley Halprin Medical advisor — movement suitability; Marketing Manager, Eastern Region
The Oy Way offers a philosophy that combines meditation, exercise, and humor, set forth in easy-to-learn Yiddish. It will be a great pleasure to read and follow — even if it’s just a bit at a time.
