The 1983 Barbra Streisand title role was YENTL, a five-letter word. YENTL was the title of a 1983 musical drama film directed, produced and starring Barbra Streisand. The film is based on a story by Isaac Bashevis Singer about a young Jewish woman who disguises herself as a man in order to study the Talmud. The film was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actress for Streisand.