Paula Boltman & Rokhl Holzer Yiddish Theatre Scholarship 2027

The Rokhl Holzer and Paula Boltman Scholarship honours the legacies of two formidable Yiddish actors whose artistry shaped the golden era of Yiddish theatre and Jewish culture in Melbourne. Kadimah Yiddish Theatre (KYT) is committed to developing a growing ensemble of professional actors who can work in Yiddish-language theatre, contributing to its contemporary evolution and long-term sustainability. This generous scholarship creates a practical pathway for live performance artists to develop their skills working with a second language, while collaborating with the development of new works for KYT.

Each year, one artist will be awarded a $10,000 cash-scholarship to support a year-long engagement with Yiddish language, Jewish culture, and live performance. This includes Yiddish language classes, participation in creative developments with KYT, and performance opportunities at Kadimah events.

The award is intended for professional performers (actors or music theatre performers) who are not from a Yiddish-speaking background and who demonstrate curiosity about Yiddish language culture and a desire to be able to work professionally in Yiddish language theatre and live performance.

Eligibility

Applications are open to emerging, mid-career, and established artists of any age and cultural background.

Applicants must:

• Be a professional artist with a minimum of two years professional experience. (Highly skilled, established artists are warmly encouraged to apply.)
• Demonstrate a curiosity and interest in Yiddish language and culture. (No direct connection to Yiddish ancestry is necessary)
• Open to working with an organisation deeply connected to local and national Jewish history, culture and creativity

(Applications are open to applicants from all backgrounds and cultures; Kadimah is a non-political and non-partisan organisation)

Commit to:

• Multiple terms of Yiddish classes (one class per week)
• Up to four weeks of creative development with KYT
• Participation in at least one public performance during the year, in Yiddish
• Being based in Victoria and attending in-person rehearsals and developments

For more information, contact Gary Abrahams, KYT Executive Director executivedirector.theatre@kadimah.org.au

This is not an entry-level actor-training scholarship. It is specifically for professional performers who wish to train in Yiddish language to work at a professional level within Yiddish theatre.

Applications close 30 November 2026.

Doris z”l and David z”l Burstin Scholarship 2027

Kadimah aims to support the next generation of Yiddish teachers and kultur-tuers – those who can teach, create and be active in our Yiddish community for years to come. This scholarship, awarded annually, aims to build Yiddish language and teaching skills within the Australian Jewish Community, by providing Yiddish learners with the opportunity to study Yiddish overseas. With the generous support of the family of Doris and David Burstin, we are excited to announce the second year of a scholarship to support Yiddish learners who want to travel to attend an international intensive language study program.

Doris and David Burstin were deeply committed to Yiddish learning and teaching throughout their lives and this program honours their memories. The successful applicant(s) will receive up to $7500 to further their skills and interests in the service of the Yiddish language through a training or study course. In return, the successful applicant must offer a genuine commitment to return the knowledge and experience gained via the scholarship to the Australian Jewish community via teaching, organising youth activities, cultural programming or similar in partnership with the Kadimah.

This scholarship is administered by the Kadimah Jewish Cultural Centre and National Library and made possible by the generous support of the family of Doris and David Burstin in honour of their contribution and commitment to Yiddish learning and life. To find out more about this opportunity contact Esther Singer, Kadimah’s Yiddish Coordinator yiddishcoordinator@kadimah.org.au

Applications close 30 November 2026.