Rukhl Schaechter: 25 Years at the Forverts

Highlights:</p> <ul> <li><strong>Rukhl Schaechter</strong> (<strong>שׂרה-רחל שעכטער</strong>), editor of <em>Forverts</em> (a/k/a the Yiddish <em>Forward</em>, <em>פֿאָרווערטס</em>), online at <a href="https://forward.com/yiddish">forward.com/yiddish</a>, reflects on 25 years with this Yiddish institution, originally as a writer and now as its editor. She spoke with us on Zoom from her home in Yonkers on Nov. 24, 2024. The <em>Forward</em> is celebrating her anniversary with a <em>Celebrate Our Rukhl</em> event in New York, NY, on Weds., Dec. 4, 2024. Info: <a href="https://www.pages.forward.com/rukhl-celebration">https://www.pages.forward.com/rukhl-celebration</a> </li> </ul> Music:</p> <ul> <li>Intro instrumental music: <em>DEM HELFANDS TANTS</em>, an instrumental track from the CD <em>Jeff Warschauer: The Singing Waltz</em></li> <li>Intermittent music: Itzhak Perlman, Dov Seltzer, Israel Philharmonic Orchestra: <em>Afn Veg Shteyt A Boym</em> (instrumental)</li> <li>Outro music: Dudu Fisher: <em>Afn Veg Shteyt A Boym</em> </li> </ul> Air date: November 27, 2024</p>

00:54:43

Abraham Friedman from Di Tzeitung; Unaired Outtakes: Prof. Shmuel Kassow (2017), Kutzik, Forman (2021)

Highlights:</p> <ul> <li><strong>Abraham Friedman</strong> (<strong>אבֿרהם פֿרידמאַן</strong>), publisher of <em>Di Tzeitung</em> (<em>די צייטונג</em>), a major weekly newspaper in the Chareidi world, especially among the Chassidic community in New York. In this interview he talks about what his newspaper offers, discusses current events recently covered by his newspaper, and a little about himself. We reached him by phone at his home in Brooklyn on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. Website of <em>די צייטונג</em>: <a href="http://ditzeitung.com/">http://ditzeitung.com/</a> </li> <li>From our archive, outtakes from previously aired interviews that were not previously aired due to time limitations. <ul> <li><strong>Samuel Kassow</strong> (<strong>שמואל קאַסאָוו</strong>), professor of history, Trinity College: outtake from an interview originally aired Nov. 1, 2017, on the theme of the Russian Revolution of 1917. Original podcast: <a href="https://podcast.yv.org/episodes/samuel-kassow-elissa-bemporad">https://podcast.yv.org/episodes/samuel-kassow-elissa-bemporad</a></li> <li><strong>Jordan Kutzik</strong> of Kinder-Loshn Publications, and <strong>David Forman</strong>, translator of the book <em>Dos Kluge Shnayderl/The Clever Little Tailor</em>: outtake from an interview originally aired in November, 2021. Original podcast: <a href="https://podcast.yv.org/episodes/jordan-kutzik-david-forman-dos-kluge-shnayderlthe-clever-little-tailor">https://podcast.yv.org/episodes/jordan-kutzik-david-forman-dos-kluge-shnayderlthe-clever-little-tailor</a></li> <li>The above two interviews were conducted by <strong>Sholem Beinfeld</strong>, a regular contributor to <em>The Yiddish Voice</em>, co-Editor in Chief of the <em>Comprehensive Yiddish-English Dictionary</em>, and Professor of History, Emeritus, Washington University, St. Louis.</li> </ul></li> </ul> Music:</p> <ul> <li>Intro/outro instrumental music: <em>DEM HELFANDS TANTS</em>, an instrumental track from the CD <em>Jeff Warschauer: The Singing Waltz</em></li> <li>Music: Itzhak Perlman, Dov Seltzer, Israel Philharmonic Orchestra: <em>Afn Veg Shteyt A Boym</em> (instrumental)</li> </ul> Air date: November 20, 2024</p>

01:00:55

Erev Yom Kippur with Teitelbaum + October 7 Anniversary with Zaks, Galay, Trinh

אַ גמר חתימה טובֿה! און אַ גוט געבענטשט יאָר!</p> Highlights:</p> <ul> <li> Rabbi <strong>Itzik-Boruch Teitelbaum</strong> (Monroe, NY), known as <em>Der Pshiskher Rov</em>, with a <em>vort</em> for <em>erev Yom Kippur</em>. We reached him by phone at his home in Monroe on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024</p> </li> <li> Interviews with Israelis about Oct. 7, one year on.</p> <ul> <li><strong>Avremi Zaks</strong> the host and producer of the weekly Israeli Yiddish radio program "<a href="https://www.kan.org.il/content/kan/kan-reka/p-10820/">Kan Yidish</a>." He also teaches Yiddish. He was born in Israel and lives in Jerusalem with his wife and children. We reached him by phone in Jerusalem on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024.</li> <li><strong>Daniel Galay</strong> is a composer, playwright, Yiddish activist, educator, and writer, and Chairman of Leyvik House Yiddish Cultural Center in Tel Aviv. We reached him by phone in Tel Aviv on October 8, 2024. Additional info online: <a href="https://www.leyvik.com">https://www.leyvik.com</a></li> <li><strong>Miriam Trinh</strong> is the editor-in-chief of <em>Afn Shvel</em>, teaching Yiddish language and literature at Hebrew University and online platforms like Workers Circle and YIVO. She has written for the Yiddish Forward (<em>Forverts</em>), including the interview with Tzili Venkert described on our show and a recent article published post-show, <em>"<a href="https://forward.com/yiddish/612568/on-yom-hazikaron-may-this-memorial-poster-from-kibbutz-beeri-keep-us-from-forgetting/">לכּבֿוד יום-הזכּרון זאָל דער געדענק־פּלאַקאַט פֿון קיבוץ בארי נישט לאָזן פֿאַרגעסן</a></em>." Trinh moved to Israel after high school and resides in Jerusalem with her family. We reached her by phone in Jerusalem on October 9, 2024.</li> </ul> </li> <li> Greetings on behalf of the <strong>American Association of Jewish Holocaust Survivors and Descendants of Greater Boston</strong>, featuring members <strong>Tania Lefman</strong> (Treasurer), <strong>Mary Ehrlich</strong>, <strong>Rosalie Reszelbach</strong> and <strong>Miriam Modricamin</strong>.</p> </li> <li> Greeting from <strong>Dovid Braun</strong>, co-host. Recorded Oct. 2, 2024, by phone.</p> </li> <li> Greetings from <strong>Eli Dovek</strong> ז״ל, late proprietor of our sponsor <strong><a href="https://www.israelbookshop.com/">Israel Bookshop</a></strong>, Brookline, MA.</p> </li> <li> Greeting from <strong>Lillian (Leye) Leavitt</strong>, co-host. Recorded Sept. 25, 2024, by phone.</p> </li> </ul> Music:</p> <ul> <li>Cantor Joseph Shapiro: <em>B'Rosh Hashona</em></li> <li>Leibele Waldman: <em>Der naier yuhr</em></li> <li>Intro instrumental music: <em>DEM HELFANDS TANTS</em>, an instrumental track from the CD <em>Jeff Warschauer: The Singing Waltz</em></li> </ul> Air date: October 9, 2024</p>

01:48:44

Erev Rosh Hashona with Novershtern, Sharfstein, Teitelbaum, et al

אַ כּ‫תיבֿה וחתימה טובֿה!</p> Highlights:</p> <ul> <li><strong>Avrom Novershtern</strong> (Israel) Professor Emeritus of Yiddish Literature, Hebrew University, Jerusalem. We reached him by phone on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024.</li> <li><strong>Eli Sharfstein</strong> (Israel) writer and poet. We reached him by phone in Greece, where he was stranded due to cancelations of flights to Israel, on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024.</li> <li>Rabbi <strong>Itzik-Boruch Teitelbaum</strong> (Monroe, NY), known as <em>Der Pshiskher Rov</em>. We reached him by phone at his home in Monroe on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024.</li> <li>Greetings on behalf of the <strong>American Association of Jewish Holocaust Survivors and Descendants of Greater Boston</strong>, featuring members <strong>Tania Lefman</strong> (Treasurer), <strong>Mary Ehrlich</strong>, <strong>Rosalie Reszelbach</strong> and <strong>Miriam Modricamin</strong>.</li> <li>Greeting from <strong>Dovid Braun</strong>, co-host. Recorded Oct. 2, 2024, by phone.</li> <li>Greetings from <strong>Eli Dovek</strong> ז״ל, late proprietor of our sponsor <strong><a href="https://www.israelbookshop.com/">Israel Bookshop</a></strong>, Brookline, MA.</li> <li>Greeting from <strong>Sholem Beinfeld</strong>, co-host. Recorded Sept. 18, 2024, by phone.</li> <li>Greeting from <strong>Lillian (Leye) Leavitt</strong>, co-host. Recorded Sept. 25, 2024, by phone.</li> <li>Greetings on behalf of the <strong><a href="https://leagueforyiddish.org/">League for Yiddish</a></strong> / <strong><a href="https://leagueforyiddish.org/">די ייִדיש-ליגע</a></strong> by <strong>Gitl Schaechter-Viswanath</strong>, Board Chair. Recorded Sept. 18, 2024.</li> <li>Greetings on behalf of the <strong><a href="http://hebrewactorsfoundation.org/">Hebrew Actors Foundation</a></strong> and <strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/307415619354386/">CYCO Yiddish Book Center</a></strong> by <strong>Hy Wolfe</strong>. Recorded via Zoom Sept. 18, 2024.</li> </ul> Music: (Partial List)</p> <ul> <li>Cantor Joseph Shapiro: <em>B'Rosh Hashona</em></li> <li>Malavsky Family: <em>Kevah Kures</em></li> <li>Sholom Katz: <em>Zochreinu L'Chayim</em></li> <li>Intro instrumental music: <em>DEM HELFANDS TANTS</em>, an instrumental track from the CD <em>Jeff Warschauer: The Singing Waltz</em></li> </ul> Air date: October 2, 2024</p>

01:25:42

Erev Rosh Hashona with Sutzkever Poetry Translated and Read by Richard Fein and Sholem Beinfeld

This week, greetings for <em>Rosh Hashona</em> from friends, participants, and sponsors of The Yiddish Voice / דאָס ייִדישע קול, combined with a poetry reading by <strong>Richard Fein</strong> and <strong>Sholem Beinfeld</strong>.</p> אַ גוט, געבענטשט יאָר אַלע אונדזערע צוהערער - לשנה טובֿה</p> Highlights:</p> <ul> <li>Author and translator <strong>Richard J. Fein</strong> (Yiddish name: Ruvn-Yankev), along with his friend, collaborator, and regular Yiddish Voice cohost <strong>Sholem Beinfeld</strong>, read from Fein's book <em>The Full Pomegranate: Poems of Avrom Sutzkever</em> (SUNY Press, 2019), which features Sutzkever's poems in their original Yiddish along with Fein's English translations. Avrom Sutzkever (1913–2010) is widely regarded as one of the greatest Yiddish poets of the 20th century. Richard J. Fein is Professor Emeritus of English at the State University of New York at New Paltz and the author, editor, and translator of many books, including With Everything We’ve Got: A Personal Anthology of Yiddish Poetry. Sholem Beinfeld is Professor Emeritus of History at Washington University in St. Louis, and is perhaps best known as Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Comprehensive Yiddish-English Dictionary (Arumnemik Yidish-English Verterbukh), as well as a translator of Yiddish texts and creator of new subtitles for classic Yiddish movies. For further information on Fein's book The Full Pomegranate, see the publisher's web site: <a href="http://www.sunypress.edu/p-6690-the-full-pomegranate.aspx">http://www.sunypress.edu/p-6690-the-full-pomegranate.aspx</a> We recorded this at Fein's home in Cambridge, MA, on Sept. 20, 2024.</li> <li>Greetings on behalf of the <strong>American Association of Jewish Holocaust Survivors and Descendants of Greater Boston</strong>, featuring members <strong>Tania Lefman</strong> (Treasurer), <strong>Mary Ehrlich</strong>, <strong>Rosalie Reszelbach</strong> and <strong>Miriam Modricamin</strong>.</li> <li>Greetings from <strong>Eli Dovek</strong> ז״ל, late proprietor of our sponsor <strong><a href="https://www.israelbookshop.com/">Israel Bookshop</a></strong>, Brookline, MA.</li> <li>Greeting from <strong>Sholem Beinfeld</strong>, co-host. Recorded Sept. 18, 2024, by phone.</li> <li>Greeting from <strong>Lillian (Leye) Leavitt</strong>, co-host. Recorded Sept. 25, 2024, by phone.</li> <li>Greetings on behalf of the <strong><a href="https://leagueforyiddish.org/">League for Yiddish</a></strong> / <strong><a href="https://leagueforyiddish.org/">די ייִדיש-ליגע</a></strong> by <strong>Gitl Schaechter-Viswanath</strong>, Board Chair. Recorded Sept. 18, 2024.</li> <li>Greetings on behalf of the <strong><a href="http://hebrewactorsfoundation.org/">Hebrew Actors Foundation</a></strong> and <strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/307415619354386/">CYCO Yiddish Book Center</a></strong> by <strong>Hy Wolfe</strong>. Recorded via Zoom Sept. 18, 2024.</li> </ul> Music:</p> <ul> <li>Cantor Joseph Shapiro: <em>B'Rosh Hashona</em></li> <li>Malavsky Family: <em>Kevah Kures</em></li> <li>Sholom Katz: <em>Zochreinu L'Chayim</em></li> <li>Intro instrumental music: <em>DEM HELFANDS TANTS</em>, an instrumental track from the CD <em>Jeff Warschauer: The Singing Waltz</em></li> </ul> Air date: September 25, 2024</p>

01:07:36

Erev Rosh Hashona with Moshe Waldoks, Henry Slucki, et al

This week, greetings for <em>Rosh Hashona</em> from friends, participants, and sponsors of The Yiddish Voice / דאָס ייִדישע קול, combined with an exciting new interviews with Rabbi <strong>Moshe Waldoks</strong> and Holocaust survivor <strong>Henry Slucki</strong>.</p> אַ גוט, געבענטשט יאָר אַלע אונדזערע צוהערער לשנה טובֿה</p> Highlights:</p> <ul> <li>Interview with Rabbi <strong>Moshe Waldoks</strong>, whose <a href="https://www.bostontheatrescene.com/shows-and-events/you-can-live-if-they-let-you/">biographical one-man show "You Can Live If They Let You"</a> recently debuted in Boston, amid much acclaim (including a <a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/09/04/arts/rabbi-moshe-waldoks-you-can-live-if-they-let-you-one-man-show/"><em>Boston Globe</em> feature article</a>) to sold-out audiences. Recorded Sept. 18, 2024, by phone. Info on Moshe Waldoks on <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moshe_Waldoks">Wikipedia</a>: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moshe_Waldoks">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moshe_Waldoks</a></li> <li>Interview with <strong>Henry Slucki</strong>, a Holocaust survivor, professor of psychology at USC, cultural and political activist. Recorded Sept. 18, 2024, via Zoom.</li> <li>Greetings on behalf of the <strong>American Association of Jewish Holocaust Survivors and Descendants of Greater Boston</strong>, featuring members <strong>Tania Lefman</strong> (Treasurer), <strong>Mary Ehrlich</strong>, <strong>Rosalie Reszelbach</strong>, et al.</li> <li>Greetings from <strong>Eli Dovek</strong> ז״ל, late proprietor of our sponsor <strong><a href="https://www.israelbookshop.com/">Israel Bookshop</a></strong>, Brookline, MA.</li> <li>Greeting from <strong>Sholem Beinfeld</strong>, co-host. Recorded Sept. 18, 2024, by phone.</li> <li>Greetings on behalf of the <strong><a href="https://leagueforyiddish.org/">League for Yiddish</a></strong> / <strong><a href="https://leagueforyiddish.org/">די ייִדיש-ליגע</a></strong> by <strong>Gitl Schaechter-Viswanath</strong>, Board Chair. Recorded Sept. 18, 2024.</li> <li>Greetings on behalf of the <strong><a href="http://hebrewactorsfoundation.org/">Hebrew Actors Foundation</a></strong> and <strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/307415619354386/">CYCO Yiddish Book Center</a></strong> by <strong>Hy Wolfe</strong>. Recorded via Zoom Sept. 18, 2024.</li> </ul> Music:</p> <ul> <li>Cantor Simcha Koussevitzky: <em>Zochreinu L'Chayim</em></li> <li>Pesachke Burstein: <em>Men ken leben nor men lozt nit</em> (Composer: Joseph Rumshinsky)</li> <li>Intro instrumental music: <em>DEM HELFANDS TANTS</em>, an instrumental track from the CD <em>Jeff Warschauer: The Singing Waltz</em></li> </ul> Air date: September 18, 2024</p>

01:20:14

Perl Teitelbaum, Teacher and Singer; Hy Wolfe, Actor and Singer

This week, interviews with <strong>Perl Teitelbaum</strong> and <strong>Hy Wolfe</strong>. We spoke with them in person at 2024 Yugntruf Yidish-Vokh in Copake, NY, on Aug. 21, 2024.</p> <ul> <li> Paula (Perl) Teitelbaum is a Yiddish language at <a href="https://www.circle.org/yiddish">Arbeter Ring</a>, <a href="https://yivo.org/Classes">Yivo Institute</a>, and elsewhere. She talked about a new technique she's been using for teaching Yiddish by watching films. A Yiddish singer who has performed on several album, she also shared memories of creating the popular song <em>Vaserl</em> along with co-writer Rukhl Schaechter. </p> </li> <li> Hy Wolfe is a Yiddish singer and actor, as well as an activist involved in managing several important Yiddish organizations: <a href="http://hebrewactorsfoundation.org/">Hebrew Actors Foundation</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/p/Sholem-Aleichem-Cultural-Center-Bronx-100067228140141/">Sholem Aleichem Culture Center</a>, and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/307415619354386/">CYCO Yiddish Book Center</a>. He talked about those organizations, and also shared some personal memories from his career on the Yiddish stage.</p> </li> <li> Music:</p> <ul> <li>Intro instrumental music: <em>DEM HELFANDS TANTS</em>, an instrumental track from the CD <em>Jeff Warschauer: The Singing Waltz</em></li> <li>Shifee Lovitt: <em>Vaserl וואַסערל</em></li> <li>Meilech Kohn: <em>Mein Held מײַן העלד</em></li> </ul> </li> </ul> Air Date: August 21, 2024</p>

01:05:09

Dovid Braun, Zumer-Program Academic Director; Miriam Libenson z"l (1995): Tisha B'ov

This week, an interview with <strong>Dovid Braun</strong>, talking about the Yivo Bard <em>Zumer-Program</em> and a few related matters. Dovid serves as Academic Director for the summer program, which recently concluded, and year-round as Yivo's Academic Director for Yiddish. And we hear from our archive (1995) <strong>Miriam Libenson</strong> on <em>Tisha B'Ov</em> , which falls this year on the night of Monday, Aug. 12.</p> <ul> <li>Music: <ul> <li>Intro instrumental music: <em>DEM HELFANDS TANTS</em>, an instrumental track from the CD <em>Jeff Warschauer: The Singing Waltz</em></li> </ul></li> </ul> Air Date: August 7, 2024</p>

01:03:15

Arieh Hecht: Patient Advocate; Nokhem Lerner: Zumer-Program Teacher

This week, <strong>Arieh Hecht</strong>, a patient advocate in Los Angeles, talks about his life as a child of Holocaust survivors originally from Transylvania (Hungary during WWII) and his work as a patient advocate. We spoke with Arieh in person in Los Angeles on July 4, 2024. We begin with a report from the Yivo-Bard <em>Zumer-Program</em> by <strong>Nokhem Lerner</strong>, who's been a Yiddish teacher there the past two years. We reached Nokhem by phone in the New York area on July 29, 2024.</p> <ul> <li>Music: <ul> <li>Intro instrumental music: <em>DEM HELFANDS TANTS</em>, an instrumental track from the CD <em>Jeff Warschauer: The Singing Waltz</em></li> <li>Outro instrumental music: Itzhak Perlman, Dov Seltzer, Israel Philharmonic Orchestra: <em>Afn Veg Shteyt A Boym</em></li> </ul></li> </ul> Air Date: July 31, 2024</p>

01:17:21

Pnina Sharf: Survivor from Poland, Marek Gaysinskiy: Zumer-Program Report

Highlights: <strong>Mark ("Marek") Gaysinskiy</strong> reports from the Yivo-Bard Zumer-Program; <strong>Pnina Sharf</strong>, a resident of Los Angeles and a Holocaust survivor from Poland, talks about her life experiences; from Boston's Yiddish past: a performance by the late Cantor <strong>Gregor Shelkan</strong>, performing a song about what will happen when <em>Meshiekh</em> (the Messiah) comes (recorded in 1999 at the Cantorial concert in honor of Cantor Simon Kandler).</p> <ul> <li>Intro instrumental music: <em>DEM HELFANDS TANTS</em>, an instrumental track from the CD <em>Jeff Warschauer: The Singing Waltz</em></li> </ul> Air Date: July 17, 2024</p>

00:45:34