Mendele: Yiddish literature and language ______________________________________________________ Contents of Vol. 4.112 September 25, 1994 1) Introduction (Simon Rozas) 2) Introduction (Aharon Meytahl) 3) Romanization of Yiddish and Hebrew (Stanley Werbow) 4) Bikher (Kayle Goodman) 5) Sheva Zucker's book (Stephen Dowling) 6) Sholem far Yiddishe shreibers (Chane Honig) 1)---------------------------------------------------- Date: Sat, 24 Sep 1994 01:17 EDT From: rozas@binah.cc.brandeis.edu Subject: Introduction Tajere Chavejrim! I am a Lithuanian student studying at Brandeis University. I have been in the U.S. for a little bit more than a year. I grew up speaking Yiddish as the main language although Lithuanian started pushing it somewhat once I started going to school . I did not have any significant education in Yiddish for obvious reasons, however I did learn to read and write recently. I just joined the list and it seems to have huge waves of discussion regarding latinization of Yiddish. I was tired to read the entire discussion, but it seems that people have their strong opinions and will stick to them. I will stick in a couple of Lithuanian letters for Yiddish sounds once in a while, so please do not get angry. It is just easier for me. Since we do not use the right letters anyway (Hebrew, that is) I do not see the reason for a huge argument. Just for your reference c is more convenient than ts or tz or the German z. Z could actually stay as z (like in zoo). Eastern European languages having an entirely phonetic spelling might be more useful as a base for "latinization" of yiddish. Actually the "latinization" does not sound as a very inspiring term. We know where Latin is /nit af unz gezogt/. I will welcome any further comments or questions. I do have some information on Lithuania if anyone is interested. Simon Rozas 2)---------------------------------------------------- Date: Sat, 24 Sep 1994 08:06:18 +0200 (EET) From: power@actcom.co.il Subject: Introduction I am a new subscriber to mendele. I was born in Vilna in 1938 and came to Israel when I was 12 years. During the war my mother, uncle and myself survived on "Arian papers." I did not I am Jewish until the war ended. I learned Yidish in Israel. I read and enjoy Yidish litereature and poetry. Such interests are far away from my daily business which is lasers and electronics. I am pleased and grateful for being a subscriber to Mendele. The argument is always full of vitality as befitts Mendele Mokeher Sefarim (Sefoyrim?). Aharon Meytahl 3)---------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 23 Sep 1994 14:39:24 -0500 From: s.werbow@mail.utexas.edu Subject: Romanization of Yiddish and Hebrew Could the appropriate pages (8-11 and 22-24) of Hebraica Cataloging be scanned into the computer and then sent out to Mendele subscribers? This would probably qualify as "fair use" under copyright law. Stanley Werbow 4)---------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 23 Sep 1994 13:43:11 From: ac939@lafn.org Subject: Bikher Ikh zukh nemen fun bishteln in unzer bibliotek. Zeyer khushev iz a hi Yidisher shprakh, kultur, y literatur. Ikh veys nisht tsu men ken dos gefunen in eyn bukh. Dos makht nisht oys. S'ken zayn el etlikhe bikher. In algemeyn zukh ikh a gantz historia vi di shprakh hot zikh tsushpreyt iber gantz Yurop. Ikh hob di yidishe enciclopedia, ober dos vet nisht aroyshelfn mentchn velkhe vil borgn bikher. M';hot mir gegebn tsushtayer a por groshn tsu koyfn a por bikher. Ikh vel za zeyer shtark arbetn tsu poyln bay di balebatn mer vi a por groshn. Derfar muz ikh hobn a reshime fun bikher Ikh beyt aykh aleman mir aroystsuhelfn mit mayn uvde. Ikh vinch aykh ale a g'mar khesime toyve. Ayer fraynt Kayle. Kay Goodman 5)---------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 23 Sep 1994 22:51:00 GMT From: stephendowling@WEISER.COM Subject: Sheva Zucker's book I've been back on MENDELE for a few weeks and have been lurking (skulking?) and catching up. A few things: 1. A Yiddish study guide has been published by the Workmen's Circle and KTAV. The title of the book is "Yiddish: An Introduction to the Language, Literature and Culture" by Sheva Zucker. It has been many years in the making. When we originally announced it, we advertised the price at $16.95. Since then, more pages were added and the price has gone up to $19.95. Those that ordered the book at the original will have it sent to them shortly at the original price at no additional charge. Yiddish teachers that appear on Fishl Kutner's Yiddish Teacher list will receive a 20% discount on their initial order. If you're a teacher and aren't on his list, you should be. 2. A special offer to MENDELNIKS. If you order the book and identify yourself as a "MENDELNIK", you will also receive the discount if you place your order before 11/7/94. You can order the book electronically at Yidbooks@weiser.com or by calling 800-922-2558 ext.285. Please include your credit card and the expiration date when ordering. To order by mail send a check to The Jewish Book Center of the Workmen's Circle, 45 East 33rd Street, NY NY 10016. 3. For those that do not yet know, Yiddish activist and "Klal-tuer" Avrom Kahn passed away recently after a long battle with cancer. I cannot tell you devastating his loss is to the Yiddish speaking world. He was involved Yiddish organizations including YIVO, Yugntruf and the League for Yiddish Congress of Jewish Culture and the Workmen's Circle. He arranged Yiddish reading circles, Yiddish song groups and was devoted to all Yiddish causes. My branch of the Workmen's Circle, Hemshekh Branch 105 is sponsoring a meeting in his honor. It will take place October 31, 1994 at 6:00pm at National Headquarters of the Workmen's Circle, 45 East 33rd street, NY NY 10016. All are invited. In his memory, we have started the JTZ/Avrom Kahn Yiddish Culture Fund. Income generated by this fund will be used to support Yiddish song groups. This was something he truly loved. It is hard to believe he is no longer with us. He will be greatly missed. 4. Workmen's Circle Branch 105 is planning its calendar of events. Our Yiddish Film series and Yiddish Song Group will be continued. In addition, we a planning a Yiddish Immersion Weekend at Circle Lodge in upstate New York, the weekend of June 9th, 1995. It will be a lively weekend of language, learning, music and fun. When I have more details I'll let you know. 5. On the subject of Yiddish vacations, I've noticed that in my absence, Henry Sapoznik is now part of MENDELE. Excellent! Perhaps, if he hasn't already he can let us know how things are coming with the upcoming Klezkamp and new group that has been formed to organize it, "Living Traditions". 6. Several people have asked me if they can be on The Jewish Book Center of Workmen's Circle's electronic mailing list. We currently maintain a snail mail list. Following the announcement of Sheva's book, I received orders and requests for catalogues. While this is great for the Workmen's Circle, I wonder if it doesn't destroy the open and non-commercial nature of MENDELE. Much of what I've writen above is in the nature of a business announcement. Is it wrong? Is this the place for such announcements? If not here, where would a book like Sheva's be publicized? Am I worrying over nothing? Mit Frayndshaft, Stephen Dowling [Says the shames: not to worry. Such announcements are well within bounds. Indeed, we're all grateful. nm] 6)---------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 23 Sep 1994 19:26:44 -0400 (EDT) From: ahonig@mailbox.syr.edu Subject: Sholem far Yiddishe shreibers oif mendele A shaynem dank tsu Shlome Axelrod. Ich shreib azoy shlecht Yiddish. Und ich hob azoy fil lib far Yiddish. Az men ken banutzen die verte vie men denkt az an andere ken dos leyzn und farshteyn...azoy gut! s'iz mir azoy freylach in hartz tsu redn a mendele briv yeden tog...Farvos zoln mir farshemen az men ken dos shprach nit azoy gut. There are too few people let alive who truly rejoice in Yiddish... Hitler was so thorough ... Let there be two groups of us... orthographic purists and other Yiddish lovers. I say amen to Axelrod's suggestion! Chane (Alice) Honig ______________________________________________________ End of Mendele Vol. 4.112 Mendele has 2 rules: 1. Provide a meaningful Subject: line 2. Sign your article (full name please) A Table of Contents is now available via anonymous ftp, along with weekly updates. Anonymous ftp archives available on: ftp.mendele.trincoll.edu in the directory pub/mendele/files Archives available via gopher on: gopher.cic.net Send articles to: mendele@yalevm.ycc.yale.edu Other business: nmiller@mail.trincoll.edu