Yiddishist movement

The Yiddishist movement emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, advocating for the recognition and promotion of the Yiddish language and Jewish culture. It aimed to elevate Yiddish, spoken by millions of Eastern European Jews, as a legitimate language of literature, education, and national identity, countering the dominance of Hebrew and assimilationist pressures. Yiddishists sought to preserve Jewish cultural heritage, emphasizing its rich folklore, theater, and literature. This movement played a vital role in shaping Jewish identity and fostering a sense of community, especially amid the challenges of modernity and migration.