Reviews
Hundreds of resources to help you teach yourself
YIVO Institute for Jewish Research
Yiddish, Bookstores/Libraries, Museums/Cultural, Organizations, Classes/Conversation, Conferences/Lectures, Kids
The YIVO Institute for Jewish Research, right here in Chelsea in New York City, has the largest collection of Yiddish-language materials in the world! Founded in 1925 in Vilna, Poland, it relocated to New York City 15 years later. Its mission is “…
The Irish Repertory Theatre
Irish, Museums/Cultural, Organizations, Theater
The Irish Repertory Theatre, founded by Ciarán O’Reilly and Charlotte Moore, has a 25-year history in New York City. It seeks to acquaint American audiences with classic and contemporary Irish and Irish-American plays, and to to nurture new…
Conradh na Gaeilge (The Gaelic League)
Irish, Organizations, Classes/Conversation
Founded in 1893, this organization promotes the Irish language in Ireland and globally. Its primary goal is “to reinstate the Irish language as the common tongue of Ireland.” Conradh na Gaeilge has more than 200 branches. The overwhelming majority of…
Endangered Language Alliance
General, Websites, Organizations
Founded in 2010, the Endangered Language Alliance, or ELA, is an “urban initiative for endangered language research and conservation.” Out of a small office on West 18th Street, in what is known as the Urban Fieldstation, dedicated ELA linguists…
Irish Arts Center
Irish, Museums/Cultural, Organizations, Classes/Conversation, Kids
The Irish Arts Center has been around for more than 40 years. This cultural organization is “dedicated to projecting a dynamic image of Ireland and Irish America for the 21st century, building community with artists and audiences of all backgrounds,…
Schoenhof’s Foreign Books
Arabic, Dutch, English, French, General, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Irish, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Persian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Yiddish, Websites, Bookstores/Libraries, Kids
Founded in 1856, Schoenhof’s claims to have the “largest collection of foreign books in North America.” As a student at Harvard, I used to shop at their main store in Harvard Square for my language and literature course materials. I…
Chinatown in Sunset Park, Brooklyn
Mandarin, Neighborhoods
This Chinatown in western Brooklyn is the furthest thing possible from a tourist trap. It is a large and thriving community and well worth a visit. To get there, take the N train to the 8th Avenue stop in Brooklyn…
Radiance Tea House & Books
Mandarin, Food and Drink, Shopping
I am a sucker for any tea or coffee shop that sticks the word “books” in its business name. Radiance Tea House & Books, located in midtown Manhattan, is Chinese-owned. You can enjoy a meal there, as well as buy…
Greenpoint, Brooklyn
Polish, Neighborhoods
For a slew of Polish stores and restaurants and people, go to Greenpoint! The sheer volume of Polish is stunning. I have been there multiple times, but on one of my favorite visits, I enjoyed a lovely walk down…