Yiddish and the Supernatural: Demons, Golems, and Dybbuks

Harvard FAS

Delve into the mystical world of Yiddish folklore and its rich tapestry of supernatural tales. This course explores how Jewish communities have used storytelling to grapple with questions of faith, morality, identity, and the unknown. From the protective yet fearsome golems of medieval lore to the tragic and haunting tales of dybbuks, and the cunning demons that populate folk traditions, students will engage with primary Yiddish texts, translated works, and cinematic adaptations to uncover…