Yiddish, Hebrew shows safe

FEARS for the future of the Hebrew and Yiddish programs on SBS radio were dismissed this week. However, it was confirmed the shows are going on a four-week recess over the summer, but are set to return in 2012.

“This is a decision that SBS radio has had to make because it is a financial decision, but it is a temporary measure,” SBS’s strategy and planning manger Thang Ngo told The AJN.

“I know that people worry about these things, but costs are going up and this is short term to get us through this financial issue.”

Ngo said it was tough deciding which program would be sent on a recess, so the station used the population size and the English proficiency of the listeners.

“It’s never an easy choice, but there are some communities that have a low English proficiency and it is difficult for them to find information anywhere else. So, we had to use that criteria to leave those programs on air,” Ngo said.

Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Danny Lamm said the decision by SBS is concerning.

“It’s unfortunate that they chose to pick those particular languages.

“We have always been concerned that people were not identifying Hebrew or Yiddish as their home language in the census and this shows that it will have an impact,” he said.

Lamm also questioned the station’s criteria for deciding which programs go on a summer recess.

“This ought not to be the only measure that SBS takes into consideration to evaluate the suitability of any program.

“We are a unique group of people, and we have a large number of people who are very connected in this particular case to the SBS programs.”

Jennifer Dowling, who taught Yiddish at the University of Sydney for 14 years, said it is disappointing.

“I think it’s a very sad statement for all community programs that are being affected because it is a lifeline and a connection,” Dowling said.

JOSHUA LEVI

Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Danny Lamm