This introductory article will present an understanding of how bilingualism relates to the Jewish nation.

Bilingualism is indeed more prevalent among Jews than among many other groups. A long and frequently bitter history of dispersions, expulsions, and anti-Semitic or forced travels has scattered Jews throughout the Diaspora – and the Jews keep moving.

These crises, tragedies, and pogroms have a silver lining. Our Wandering Jews are often blessed with more than one language and sometimes with more than mama loschen.

Although this blessing is not by choice Jews have usually been able to adapt to their new environment and to make the best of things. The Jews in Fiddler on the Roof were forced to leave Anatevka. They left with a resigned feeling that this was the Jews’ lot in life, but they did not harbor resentful, angry or bitter feelings.

Although their skills and abilities in each of the two languages may vary, bilingual children are similar to their parents in many ways. They and their parents live in two or more cultures, and their second language differs from the local parlance.

Yes, the parents' bilingualism was unquestionably caused by negative factors, but it is certainly beneficial to retain and foster that language.

Finally, this website evaluates bilingual transference skills to our children, and offers to help them maintain their own native abilities as they progress through life.