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    This Yente Found The Perfect Match, Performing 'Fiddler' In Yiddish

    Jackie Hoffman grew up speaking what her mother called "kitchen Yiddish" — a few words here and there. Now, she's dusting off the mameloshn (mother tongue) for a production of the 1964 musical.
    by Michel Martin Dec 23, 2018 2 minutes
    Jackie Hoffman (right) plays Yente the matchmaker in the Yiddish adaptation of <em>Fiddler. </em>Hoffman grew up hearing her mother and grandmother speak Yiddish, and for years has been teaching little phrases to fellow cast members. "I've got gentiles speaking Yiddish all over this town now," she says.

    Actor Jackie Hoffman grew up hearing Yiddish, but not really speaking it.

    "I spoke what my mother calls kitchen Yiddish," Hoffman says — words here and there that she picked up from conversations between her mother and grandmother.

    The language had always a part of her life, but when, she panicked. "It was intimidating," Hoffman admits.

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