Only One Yiddish Choice

Often I am asked to make a recommendation and the inquirer wants only one answer—the best one. Unfortunately the correct reply is, “It depends,” and often it is a personal preference. So here are my replies with the caveat that in several cases there is more than one answer. It would be interesting to have your opinion--if it is different than the one given below. If enough replies come in, There may be an article with the tally in Der Bay’s hardcopy and also in the abbreviated edition online.

Beginner’s Yiddish Textbook – Weinreich’s College Yiddish

Yiddish Books Online –http://www.yiddishbookcenter.org/books/search

Yiddish Dictionary – Weinreich’s Modern Eng.-Yid., Yid.-Eng. Dictionary

Klezmer Bands – Ari Davidow’s Klezmer Shack http://www.klezmershack.com/

Yiddish Newspaper – Forverts - http://yiddish.forward.com/

Online Information – Mendele - http://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/mendele

Yiddish Pen Pal – Der Bay - http://www.derbay.org/penpal.html

Yiddish Research – YIVO - http://www.yivoinstitute.org/

Song Information – Freedman Archives - http://sceti.library.upenn.edu/freedman/

Theater – National Yiddish Theater: Folksbiene - http://www.folksbiene.org/

Yiddish Club/Event – Der Bay - http://www.derbay.org/calendars/kalendar.html

Please let me know if you disagree with my first choice. I appreciate your answer. It would be great if you told me why your choice has more merit.