Rita Ratson

Director, Yiddish Program

Division: Adult Jewish Learning
Program: Gratz Scholars Program, Yiddish

Rita Ratson, a child of Holocaust Survivors, grew up speaking Yiddish as her first language and graduated from the Workmen’s Circle Higher Yiddish Education System, with honors, as well as having an associate degree in arts and science from Pierce College. She was one of the founders of a new Yiddish school for young children in the 1980’s. Ms. Ratson joined Gratz College in 1999 as an instructor of Yiddish, and was asked to be Coordinator in 2000, as well. Ms. Ratson is an official translator of Yiddish for the National Yiddish Book Center in Amherst, Massachusetts and has worked on many translation projects for private clients, for 10 years. Her love and knowledge of Yiddish is transmitted through her creative instruction and enthusiastic presentation, and she is frequently invited to lecture to local Jewish organizations.