Mendele: Yiddish literature and language ______________________________________________________ Contents of Vol. 09.026 September 2, 1999 1) "The Mendele Review" in yidishe oysies (Noyekh Miller) 2) Now's the time to learn the Yiddish alef-beys (Noyekh Miller) 3) Yiddish Poetry (Marjorie Schonhaut Hirshan) 4) Say It In Yiddish at the NYC Transit or MTA (Marjorie Schonhaut Hirshan) 5) translation of a book and theater festival (Julia Pascal) 6) A small Judeo Alsatian lexicon (Dan Leeson) 7) Yugntruf-L: a nayes-buletin (Sholem Berger) 8) Professorship in Yiddish Studies (Alvin Rosenfeld) 9) Professorship in Comparative Jewish Literatures (Bernard D. Cooperman) 1)---------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 31 Aug 1999 17:07:49 -0400 From: Norman Miller Subject: "The Mendele Review" in yidishe oysies s'iz shoyn dos drite yor vos Leonard Prager, der redaktor fun "The Mendele Review", un zayne khosheve mitarbeter greytn tsu far undz a sude fun mayses un eseyen, dos merste teyl romanizirt fun yidishe mekoyrim. onfangndik mitm numer TMR03.14 ken men leyenen di zelbe material in dem origineln yidish. nu, volt dokh beser geven ven gants "TMR" volt geven oyf yidish. hob ikh ongehoybn dos tsu ton. dos drite band (1999) iz shoyn fartik, (http://www2.trincoll.edu/~mendele/tmrtoc03.htm) vi oykh a dritl fun yor 1998. ikh hof az in di kumendike vokhn veln di ershte tsvey yorn zayn in gantsn greyt. di yidishe tekstn zenen benimtse in tsvey formen: "PDF" un "Unicode (UTF-8)". "PDF" iz far di leyener velkhe badinen zikh mit "Adobe Acrobat Reader" un "Unicode" far yene mit "Internet Explorer 5". in posek shteyt: hakol kol yaakov vehayodayim yedey eysov, dos kol iz dos kol yankevs ober di hent zenen di hent eysevs. in di yidishe tekstn (friyer fun TMR03.014) gefinen zikh asakh feyler. di feyler zenen af mayn kop, nisht dem redaktors. zayt azoy gut, ven ir gefint a grayz, shraybt mir mailto:nmiller@trincoll.edu vegn dem. This is the third year that Leonard Prager, the editor of "The Mendele Review", and his associates have presented us with a feast of stories and essays, most of them romanized from Yiddish originals. Beginning with TMR03.014 the same material will be available in Yiddish. But since it be would be even better if _all_ of the TMR were in Yiddish, I started to do just that. All of Volume 3 (1999) is done (http://www2.trincoll.edu/~mendele/tmrtoc03.htm) as well as a third of 1998. I hope that in the coming weeks all of the first two years will be ready. The Yiddish texts are available in two formats: PDF and Unicode (UTF-8). PDF is for readers who use the Adobe Acrobat Reader and Unicode is for those who use Internet Explorer 5. As it is written: the voice is the voice of Jacob, the hands are the hands of Esau. There are a lot of mistakes in the Yiddish texts earlier than TMR03.14. These mistakes are on my head, not that of the Editor. And if you find a mistake, please write to me mailto:nmiller@trincoll.edu. Noyekh Miller 2)---------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 31 Aug 1999 17:11:59 -0400 From: Norman Miller Subject: Now's the time to learn the Yiddish alef-beys This is as good a time as any to remind Mendelistn that we're not as tied to the Latin alphabet as we used to be. We can send one another Email in real Yiddish characters with Lingomail, write novels with QText, and read a growing amount of Yiddish on the Web. Moreover, though Meshiekh keeps a steady distance, there will almost certainly be new software in the next year that will make writing and reading even easier. For that reason I would like to urge those Mendelists who don't now use the Yiddish alef-beys to learn it. It's not hard and--except for those from the Hebrew--most Yiddish words are spelled phonetically. This makes learning the alphabet particularly easy for those who already know the language. Why learn it? For starters, there are those thousands of Yiddish books that you haven't yet read. Not to mention the Yiddish press (The Forverts, for instance, is better than it ever was and decidedly superior to the English-language Forward). But most important, it seems to me, reading Yiddish in some other alphabet is like eating something particularly geshmak--say a helzl--that's been made without salt and pepper. aza tam hot yidish mit fremde oysies. a gut oysgebentsht yor aykh ale. Noyekh Miller 3)---------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 23 Aug 1999 15:17:29 -0400 (EDT) From: Marjorie Hirshan Subject: Yiddish Poetry When I was young, a callow student in the Arbeter Ring Mitlshul, I was saddened by the fear of some of my ardent wonderful teachers that Yiddish might not survive. I used to dream of a poet-general (on horseback!) whose flaming rhymes would lift everyone to a love of words, of Yiddish words, and a thirst for them. This could only result in the perpetuation of the language so the mighty poems could be read forever. Many years later, on Mendele, I made an email friend, Sarah Traister Moskovitz, who is an author (Love Despite Hate: Child Survivors of the Holocaust and Their Adult Lives - Schocken Books 1983 ISBN 0-8052-3801-8) and practicing psychotherapist in Pacific Palisades. Her love of Yiddish was born early and mirrored my youth and upbringing. (Her father was principal of the Arbeter Ring shule in Philadelphia). Several years ago she invoked an old muse, and started writing poetry in Yiddish. It appears she found her ultimate means of expression. Maybe, sans horseback, she can lead us to the waters that quench thirst. From our Florida Circle of Yiddish Clubs newsletter, I share with you the original and the translation of one of her new poems: _Yidish Esn_ fun Sore Treyster Moskovitz Yidish oyfn tsung tsegeyt zikh vi a shokoladene tsukerke mit a geshmakn nus ineveynik. ikh bays ayn yidish mit di tseyn un s'kayt zikh laykht un zaftik vi an epl frish fun boym. Yidish in moyl makht zat vi ayngebrotn brust-dekl mit tsibl, meyern un kartofl. mayn tante khayele's yidish mit a varshever aktsent vos zingt, "Nu, gay shoyn, gay shoyn, un freg nit mer farvue!" varemt oys di kishke vi shtarker tey mit honik, a refue. zis vi karshn, sharf vi khreyn, mit trern bazaltst mit seykhl geshmaltst, a gedikhte kreftike zup mit tam zis un zoyer derkviknd mit lebn fun toyznt yerikn doyer. ikh rays op a frish shtikl khala un tink ayn in dem yoykh fun doyres. Translation: _Eating Yiddish_ by Sarah Traister Moskovitz Yiddish on the tongue melts like a chocolate candy with a delicious nut inside. I bite into Yiddish with my teeth and it chews light and juicy like an apple fresh from the tree. Yiddish in my mouth satisfies like brisket roasted long with onions, carrots and potatoes. My Aunt Khayele's Yiddish with her thick Warsaw accent that sings, "Go on, go on and let me be!" warms the gut like a medicine of honey in strong tea. Sweet as cherries sharp as horseradish salted with tears shmaltzed in good sense a thick powerful soup with tastes sweet and sour nurturing life over one thousand years. I tear off a fresh piece of khala and dip into the broth of generations. Marjorie Schonhaut Hirshan 4)---------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 24 Aug 1999 14:59:27 -0400 (EDT) From: Marjorie Hirshan Subject: Say It In Yiddish at the NYC Transit or MTA Michael Chabon just might have to hang his head in shame for last year's attack upon the usefulness and very existence of _Say It in Yiddish_, and the Weinreichs would be dancing with glee, as I hold in my hand a Yiddish brochure from the New York City Transit (complete with an MTA logo!) entitled "Servis Meldung: es zenen nishto kayn treyns (sic) ariber di Vilyamsburg Brik fun shabas, may dem ershtn biz october 1999." It continues to explain that "men firt durkh an erenste iber-boy arbet oyf di 'subvey' vegn vos firn tsu di vilyamsburg brik. di arbet farlangt men zol opshlisn di M J un Z banen ariber di brik....." It goes on for several more columns replete with diagrams and information in mame-loshn, very much alive and lively! Attention: Janet Hadda - Together, we might send thanks to the Hasidim for this new birth of Yiddish in New York. Marjorie Schonhaut Hirshan Boynton Beach, Florida 5)---------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 31 Aug 1999 02:37:36 -0400 (EDT) From: JuliaPasca@aol.com Subject: translation of a book and theater festival I am a playwright and theatre director. Last week in Paris I met Joseph Schein who has written a book in Yiddish on the Soviet Yiddish actor Mihoels (He was murdered by Stalin). The book deals with Mihoels' use of theatre to criticise Stalinism. Does anyone know of a Foundation that would pay for the book to be translated into English so that it can reach a wider audience? I am organising a Jewish Theatre Festival in London and am open to ideas on content and any funding possibilities. Feel free to make suggestions! Also any thoughts on touring my Jewish plays in the US. Julia Pascal 6)---------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 1 Sep 1999 21:50:25 -0400 (EDT) From: "Dan Leeson: LEESON@admin.fhda.edu" Subject: A small Judeo Alsatian lexicon On the Alsatian Judaism site, Rabbi Daniel Gottlieb has begun to create his lexicon of Judeo-Alsatian. The URL is http://www.sdv.fr/judaisme and from there you wend your way through to the "dialect" section. I hope that all of you will have someone "er hot s'klopfe on s'blosse," which is Western Yiddish for blowing the shofar. Dan Leeson, Los Altos, California 7)---------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 31 Aug 1999 18:04:30 -0400 (EDT) From: Sholem Berger Subject: Yugntruf-L: a nayes-buletin Yugntruf--Yugnt far Yidish geyt aynfirn an elektronishn nayes-buletin. Der buletin hot dray tsiln: (1) ibergebn informatsye vegn Yugntruf- un yidish-shprakhike-aktivitetn, say in Nyu-york, say in andere gegentn; (2) helfn farbindn yidishistn iber gor amerike un der velt; un (3) bashtimen tsaytn un platsn far elektronishe un telefonishe shmuesn tsvishn kinder un groyse. Er vet zikh untersheydn fun YiddishNet un Mendele mit dem, vos er vet ibergebn nor Yugntruf- un yidish-shprakhike aktivitetn af a liste-format, un oykh mit dem, vos er vet aroys tsum merstns dray-fir mol a yor. Az ir zayt a baln af aza buletin, zayt azoy gut shikt undz tsu ayer blitspost-adres: yugntruf@yugntruf.org. Mir betn aykh tsu nitsn dem dozikn format: Ployni Almoyni, ploymoy@sambatyen.org oder, tomer ir hot say a goyishn say a yidishn nomen, Paul Allman, ploymoy@sambatyen.org, Ployni Almoyni A dank, un a gut gebentsht yor. Sholem Berger Korespondir-sekretar, Yugntruf 8)---------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 1 Sep 1999 14:41:45 -0400 (EDT) From: IU Jewish Studies Program/Carolyn Lipson-Walker Subject: Professorship in Yiddish Studies Dr. Alice Field Cohn Professorship in Jewish Studies Yiddish Studies The Robert A. and Sandra S. Borns Jewish Studies Program at Indiana University invites applications from distinguished scholars for appointment to the Dr. Alice Field Cohn Professorship in Jewish Studies. We are seeking a specialist in Yiddish language and literature who will teach Yiddish language, at all levels from beginning through advanced, as well as a range of attractive undergraduate courses on Yiddish literature and culture. This tenure-track position begins fall semester 2000 and will be a joint-appointment between the Jewish Studies Program and the Department of Germanic Studies or some other appropriate department. Candidates should be able to demonstrate scholarly excellence in research and teaching and a willingness and ability to participate actively in the various outreach and other service activities of the Borns Jewish Studies Program. Send application, curriculum vitae, four letters of reference, evidence of effective teaching, and relevant publications to the chairperson of the search committee, Professor Alvin Rosenfeld, Borns Jewish Studies Program, Indiana University, Goodbody Hall 308, 1011 East Third Street, Bloomington, IN 47405-7005. Applications received before October 15, 1999 will be assured of consideration. Indiana University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Alvin Rosenfeld 9)---------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 2 Sep 1999 17:51:16 -0400 (EDT) From: bc40@umail.umd.edu (Bernard Cooperman) Subject: Professorship in Comparative Jewish Literatures (Modern) Assistant Professorship: Comparative Jewish Literatures (Modern) The Joseph and Rebecca Meyerhoff Center for Jewish Studies at the University of Maryland seeks highly qualified candidates for a tenure-track assistant professorship in Comparative Jewish Literatures (Modern). Demonstrated scholarly ability, teaching experience, and a commitment to continued scholarly activity are greatly desired. While it is expected that most candidates will have primary expertise in Hebrew Literature, preference will be given to those whose fields of research include literature in other Jewish languages (Yiddish and Ladino) or in literature written by Jews in English or other European languages. All candidates will be expected to demonstrate their ability to teach across the entire spectrum of modern Jewish literature. The Center is a cross-disciplinary program whose members hold primary appointments in appropriate disciplinary departments of the University. The Center is currently responsible for a wide-ranging undergraduate program in Jewish Studies; graduate courses are offered through various departmental programs throughout the university. The specific departmental home of the successful candidate will be decided in accordance with that individual's background and interests. Only candidates who can offer reasonable assurance that they will have completed their Ph.D. by September 2000, will be considered. Candidates should submit a C.V., three letters of recommendation, and a one- or two-page abstract of their dissertation or current project by November 1, 1999 for best consideration. Send all materials to Professor Bernard D. Cooperman, Chair Comparative Jewish Literature Search Committee, Joseph and Rebecca Meyerhoff Center for Jewish Studies, Woods Hall 0113, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742. The University of Maryland is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer. Bernard D. Cooperman ______________________________________________________ End of Mendele Vol. 09.026 Address for the postings to Mendele: mendele@lists.yale.edu Address for the list commands: listproc@lists.yale.edu Mendele on the Web: http://mendele.commons.yale.edu http://metalab.unc.edu/yiddish/mendele.html