Mendele: Yiddish literature and language ______________________________________________________ Contents of Vol. 13.004 July 29, 2003 1) new book - The Myth of the Jewish Pope (Joseph Sherman) 2) new book - Journeys beyond the Pale (David Shneer) 3) VIth Symposium for Yiddish Studies in Germany (Marion Aptroot) 4) Samuel Bak Interview on The Yiddish Voice Radio (Mark David) 5) A prakhtik litvish yidish: Horav Teitzes "Daf Hashavua" (Brukhe Caplan) 6) position - YIVO librarian (Paul Glasser) 7) Davenen (Zachary Baker) 8) two Yiddish poems (Paula Eisenstein Baker) 9) material for libretto (Joseph Ness) 1)---------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 13 Jun 2003 06:02:34 -0400 (EDT) From: "Joseph Sherman" Subject: new book - The Myth of the Jewish Pope in Yiddish Literature The Myth of the Jewish Pope in Yiddish Literature by Joseph Sherman STUDIES IN YIDDISH 4 ISBN 1 900755 77 7 To what extent do Yiddish language and literature derive from the dominant values of mainstream European culture? How far did this culture shape the self-perception of Yiddish-speaking Jews of Central and Eastern Europe? And how far did the ambivalent, antagonistic attitude adopted towards Jews over many centuries in Christian Europe shape modern Jewish identity and culture? Sherman deals with such questions in his close examination of the recurring treatment of the myth of the Jewish Pope in four Yiddish literary texts dating from between 1602 and 1943. The roots of this my that one day a Jewish apostate might come to rule the world as Pope lie deep in the Biblical story of the assimilation of Joseph (Genesis 37--50), from which it branches out into numerous Messianic fantasies informing Jewish existence through two thousand years of exile. The importance of this ground-breaking study may be seen in Sherman1s focus on the effects of endemic European Jew-hatred on Jewish self-evaluation and self-recognition. Yet, in his concern with broader questions of cultural identity, he addresses a readership with interests beyond the book1s central Yiddish context. Joseph Sherman is Corob Fellow in Yiddish Studies at the Oxford Centre for Hebrew and Jewish Studies, and was formerly an Associate Professor of the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. He is the English translator of writers including Dovid Bergelson, Sholem Aleykhem and the Nobel Laureate Isaac Bashevis Singer. Distribution: Oxbow Books, oxbow@oxbowbooks.com, www.oxbowbooks.com (UK, Europe and Asia); The David Brown Book Company, david.brown.bk.co@snet.net (USA, South America and Canada) Joseph Sherman 2)---------------------------------------------------- Date: Sat, 14 Jun 2003 17:54:18 -0400 (EDT) From: David Shneer Subject: new book - Journeys beyond the Pale I'd like to announce a new, fantastic book by my colleague, Leah Garrett: Journeys beyond the Pale: Yiddish Travel Writing in the Modern World by Leah Garrett came out recently in hardcover and paperback with University of Wisconsin Press (226 pages, ISBN: 0-299-18444-7). The book explores how Yiddish writers used motifs of travel to express their complicated relationship with modernization and the broader world beyond the shtetl's borders. The analysis focuses on the development of the trope of the Road, the Train, and the Ship in works by Mendele, Sholem Aleichem, Peretz, Der Nister, Bergelson, Lamed Shapiro, and Glatstein. Journeys beyond the Pale shows how these writers created a unique genre of travel fiction that challenged the binary of "center" and "margin" and the location of the Jew in the public world. David Shneer 3)---------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 21 Jul 2003 03:53:05 -0400 (EDT) From: Marion Aptroot Subject: VIth Symposium for Yiddish Studies in Germany VIth Symposium for Yiddish Studies in Germany 22 - 24 September 2003 organized by the Programs in Yiddish at the Universities of Trier and Duesseldorf University of Trier, Building A, Room 9/10 22 September 2003 from 9.30 Registration 10:00 Openining 10:30 - 12:30 Cornelia Baulsom-Loewy (Hamburg), Hure oder Hueterin des Hauses. Das Bild der juedischen Frau im Werk I. B. Singers - ein Vexierbild seines religioesen, sozio-kulturellen und biographischen Hintergrundes (ausgewaehlte Studien) (G) Hugh Denman (London), Ethik und Sexualmoral bei Isaak Bashevis Singer (G) Magdalena Ruta (Warsaw), Der sheydim-tants. Die Weltanschauung von H. E. Kreitman in ihrer literarischen Autobiographie (G) 14:00 - 15:30 Hilde Pach (Amsterdam), Wie juedisch war die aelteste jiddische Zeitung? (G) Susanne Marten-Finnis (Belfast), Der Kischinewer Pogrom und die OEffentlichkeit des Juedischen Arbeiterbundes (1902-1906) (G) Rena Fuks (Amsterdam), Aerger in Koeln. Das Haus der juedischen Presse, Pressa 1928 (G) 16:00 - 18:00 Haike Beruriah Wiegand (London), "Der sotn, der nokhesh hakadmoyni" - Imazhn fun genem, fun gan-eydn un fun di himlen in di verk fun Bashevisn un Arn Tseytlinen (Y) Boris Kotlerman (Ramat-Gan), Der yidisher teater in ratn-farband in die 30-er yorn: tsvishn "natsyonaler form" un "sotsyalistishn inhalt" (Y) Claudia Koczet (Duesseldorf), Der juedische Messias der Welt: Sholem Aschs Der man fun Natseres (G) Ellen Kellman (Waltham, Mass.), Feministin/beletristin: Khane Blankshteyn1s tetikaytn in der tsvishn-milkhomediker yidisher Vilna (Y) Followed by: New Books Astrid Starck (Mulhouse): Book Presentation 23 September 2003 9:00 - 10:30 Paola Sannino (Belfast), Die Wahrnehmung der modernen westlichen Welt in der russisch-jiddischen Presse zwischen 1862 und 1915 (G) Karen Rosenberg (Montclair, NJ), Mehr als Genossen: Vertrauen und Verrat in Menakhem Mendel Rosenbaums Erinerungen fun a sotsyalist-revolutsyoner (G) Joanna Nalewajko-Kulikov (Warsaw), Der yidisher literatn- un zhurnalistn-farband in Poyln 1944-1949 (Y) 11:00 - 12:30 Klaus Cuno (Bonn), Personennamen roemischer und rheinischer Epitaphe von Juden (G) Simon Neuberg (Trier), Wie Gott im Schmuelbuch (G) Roland Gruschka (Duesseldorf), Di shemoys-hakdoyshim in Mendl Lefin Satanovers tanakh-iberzetsungen (Y) 14:00 - 15:30 Mirjam Gutschow (Amsterdam), Das Anholter Kraeuterbuch aus dem 15. Jahrhundert und seine jiddischen (?) Zusaetze (G) Evi Butzer (Duesseldorf), Jiddische Handschriften aus den Niederlanden. Zum Verhaeltnis von Sprache, Schrift und Text. Einige Beobachtungen (G) Juerg Fleischer (Zuerich), Surbtaler Jiddisch im Vergleich mit Ostjiddisch und Deutsch (G) 16:00 - 18:00 Heather Valencia (Stirling), Elefanten, Loewen, Tiger und Menschen: Abraham Sutzkevers afrikanisches Bestiarium (G) Christina Pareigis (Berlin), Nor kholem-fragmentn in gramen, kh1hob fray gelozt beys mayn antloyfn. Zwischen Traeumen und Wachsein. Zur Bewegung der Flucht in Yitzhak Katzenelsons jiddischen und hebraeischen Schriften erev khurbm (G) Esfir Bramson (Vilnius), Sore Reyzen un ir poeme "Vilne" (Y) Juliane Lensch (Giessen), Die Doina der Klezmer - von der Klage zum Virtuosenstueck (G) 24 September 2003 9:00 - 10:30 Hans Peter Althaus (Trier), Wortgeschichten (G) Henrike Kuehnert (Jena), Standard? - Konjunktionen des Westjiddischen im 16. Jahrhundert (G) Alexandra Wiebelt (Mainz), Grammatikalisierung im jiddischen Verbalbereich (G) 11:00 - 12:30 Walter Roell (Trier), Kleine juedische volkssprachliche Quellen des 15. Jahrhunderts - ein Beispiel (G) Aya Lahav (Tel-Aviv), Die Darstellung der jiddischen Sprache in christlichen Werken: der Fall Johann Jakob Schudts (G) Szonja Rahel Komoroczy (Oxford), Fun yidish tsu yidish-daytsh un tsurik - dos loshn fun yidn in19tn yorhundert in Ungarn (Y) 14:00 - 15:30 Ester-Miriam Wagner (Jena), Konjunktionen und Relativa in fruehen ostjiddischen Texten (G) Kyril Schischigin (Komerowo), Zum Problem des Verbalaspektes im Jiddischen (G) Ane Kleine (Trier), Der yidisher aroysreyd loyt undzere lernbikher (Y) 16:00 - 18:00 Erika Timm (Trier), Altjiddische Reisesegen (G) Lucia Raspe (Frankfurt), Der Schwarze Tod in juedischen Quellen: ein zweiter Blick auf Mayse nisim (G) Marion Aptroot (Duesseldorf), "Di hagode heben mir aniim gemakht": Naye hagodes (Amsterdam 1801) (Y) Bart Wallet (Amsterdam), Jiddische Historiographie im achtzehnten Jahrhundert in der Republik der Sieben Vereinigten Niederlanden (G) No registration fee Information: jiddisch@uni-trier.de Tel.: +44/(0)651-201-2325 Fax: +44/(0)651-201-3909 Prof. Dr. Marion Aptroot Institut fuer Juedische Studien Abt. fuer Jiddische Kultur, Sprache und Literatur Heinrich-Heine-Universitaet Duesseldorf Universitaetsstrasse 1 / Geb. 23.03 40225 Duesseldorf Prof. Dr. Simon Neuberg Fachbereich II / Jiddistik Universitaet Trier Universitaetsring, Geb. A 54286 Trier The program and updates will appear on http://www.uni-trier.de/uni/fb2/germanistik/jidd_vi_symposium.html Marion Aptroot 4)---------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 28 Jul 2003 00:55:27 -0400 (EDT) From: "Mark H. David" Subject: Samuel Bak Interview on The Yiddish Voice Radio in Boston The Yiddish Voice, a weekly Yiddish-language radio show, will feature an interview with Samuel Bak on its Wednesday, July 30, 2003 broadcast starting at 7:30 p.m. on WUNR 1600 AM in Brookline, Mass. Shmuel Bak, as he is known in Yiddish, began his artistic career as a "vunderkind" of the Vilna Ghetto, attracting the support and admiration of such cultural luminaries as Avrom Sutzkever, Shmerke Kaczerginski, and Herman Kruk. Since surviving those perilous years, he's become a world renowned painter who has had over 200 solo exhibitions throughout the world. Having lived in many parts of the world, Bak settled in Boston relatively recently. Now approaching his 70th birthday, he is still actively painting. His latest works will be featured in the upcoming exhibit entitled "SAMUEL BAK: ...your move" at Pucker Gallery in Boston beginning August 2, 2003. The Yiddish Voice is heard each Wednesday from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. on WUNR 1600 AM, Brookline, Mass., serving Boston and suburbs. Information about the radio show, and also a live feed of the broadcast, is available from the Yiddish Voice web site: http://www.yiddishvoice.com Mark David 5)---------------------------------------------------- Date: Sun, 6 Jul 2003 11:38:23 -0400 (EDT) From: Beatrice Caplan Subject: A prakhtik litvish yidish: Horav Teitzes "Daf Hashavua" Tayere mitglider fun Mendele, Ikh vil shtark rekomendirn di-o tashmes, vos vern do reklamirt. Ikh hob letstns bakumen etlekhe fun zey: tashmes fun Horav Teitzes radio-program af WEVD "Daf Hashvua" in velkhn er hot gelernt a daf gemore. Zayn yidish iz beemes a prakhtik litvish yidish, un zayn oyfn oystaytshn di gemore iz zeyer klor. Me ken shtark hanoe hobn fun di tashmes, i funem yidish, i funem lernen. Ot iz a gelegnhayt tsu lernen gemore af an elegantn yidish, vos vet aykh tsurikfirn durkh der tsayt in a litvisher yeshive. Dray masekhtes fun der radio-program fun Horav Mordkhe Pinkhes Teitz z"l, "Daf Hashavua," ken men itst bakumen af tashmes. Di program hot gehat an oylem in un arum Nyu-York, in groyse shtet in di fareynikte shtatn un Kanade, un durkh "Kol Tsion Lagolah" in dem gevezenem ratn-farband fun 1953-1988. Tsuherers hobn hanoe gehat fun zayn lebediker prezentatsye un fun zayn prakhtikn, klasishn yidish. Tomer vilt ir nokh informatsye vegn Horav Teitzes gemore-shiurim, kent ir dos krign elektronish. Shraybt: daf@TheJEC.org oder y.blau@att.net Dear Mendele members, I highly recommend the tapes advertised here. I recently was given a few of them: tapes of Rabbi Teitz's radio program on WEVD "Daf Hashavua" in which he learned a page of Talmud each week. His Yiddish really is a wonderful litvish Yiddish and he explains the Talmud very clearly. The tapes have much to offer us, both in their Yiddish and their learning. Here is an opportunity to study Talmud in a pure, elegant Yiddish that will transport you across the centuries to a beit midrash in the yeshivot of Lita. Three mesechtot (tractates) of Rabbi Mordechai Pinchas Teitz's (zihrono li'v'rahah) radio program, Daf Hashavua, are now available on cassettes. The program had an audience in the New York area, in major cities in the United States and Canada, and through Kol Tzion Lagolah in the former Soviet Union from 1953-1988. Listeners enjoyed his lively presentation of the gemara and his magnificent, classical Yiddish. If you would like more information about Rabbi Teitz's Talmud classes in Yiddish, you can receive it on e-mail. Write to: daf@TheJEC.org or y.blau@att.net or Daf Hashavua 330 Elmora Avenue Elizabeth, NJ 07208 USA Brukhe Caplan 6)---------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 15 Jul 2003 11:14:20 -0400 (EDT) From: "Paul Glasser" Subject: position - YIVO librarian YIDDISH CATALOGING AND ACQUISITIONS LIBRARIAN The YIVO Institute for Jewish Research, the world's foremost resource for the study of Yiddish language and literature and the culture of East European Jewry, is seeking a professional cataloging librarian to perform original and derived cataloging, with special emphasis on Yiddish. The incumbent will also be expected to serve as manager and liaison for an on-going retrospective conversion project; to make selections of new books and serials in Yiddish and western languages; and to assume occasional reference duties in the Reading Room. QUALIFICATIONS FOR POSITION: Required: ALA/ MLS or equivalent experience; knowledge of MARC formats, AACR2R, LC subject headings and LC classification scheme; reading fluency in Yiddish and a working knowledge of Hebrew; familiarity with the field of Jewish Studies; evidence of initiative and flexibility; effective written and oral communication skills; ability to work independently as well as participate actively in team projects. Knowledge of Slavic and other European languages is desirable but not required. HIGHLY DESIRED: Two years of library experience including original cataloging using the RLIN system; familiarity with html; knowledge of integrated library systems, library applications, or other information technologies. SALARY: Starting salary negotiable on the basis of professional accomplishments. YIVO provides a highly competitive compensation package, including TIAA/CREF retirement program; medical/dental/life insurance; generous vacation and sick leave; and some support for professional development. YIVO is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. APPLICATIONS: Review of applications begins immediately and will continue until position is filled. Please submit resume and the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of three references to: Librarian Search and Screen Committee c/o Dr Carl J. Rheins YIVO Institute for Jewish Research 15 West 16th Street New York, NY 10011-6301 Paul Glasser 7)---------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 25 Jun 2003 12:15:17 -0400 (EDT) From: Zachary Baker Subject: Davenen (shoyn vider) Volume 2 of Judaica Rossica, co-published in 2002 by the Russian State University of the Humanities and its Project Judaica partners (YIVO and the Jewish Theological Seminary of America), has just crossed my desk. It includes an article in Russian by L. Gorodetsky, "Etimologiia 'dav(e)nen' i 'prarodina' vostochnogo dialekta idish" (title in English table of contents: "The etymology of 'davnen' and the origin of Eastern Yiddish"), pp. 175-181. I don't read Russian well, so the English abstract must suffice to convey the article's contents: "This paper suggests a Turkish-Ladino solution to the classic problem of Yiddish linguistics concerning the etymology of the very 'davnen'. The implications for the problem of the origin of Eastern Yiddish are discussed." The author dedicates his article to the memory of Shimen Sandler, a Russian-Jewish philologist who first drew his attention to the "davnen problem." Zachary Baker 8)---------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 28 Jul 2003 21:39:29 -0400 (EDT) From: Paula Eisenstein Baker Subject: two Yiddish poems For an edition of the complete chamber music of composer Leo Zeitlin (1884-1930), I am trying to determine the author of two Yiddish poems Zeitlin used for melodramas he wrote in Vilna in 1922 (the texts--in Zeitlin's transliterations--are below). Zeitlin's manuscript scores (the works were unpublished) say the words are by "M. Ben Zion," but several scholars have suggested that this is probably a nom de plume. I think I have posted these before, but it was a while back, and perhaps different people are reading the lists. Private replies, please. Thanks. Bejnk ich je, bejnk ich nit? Nor es hot mir farkischeft a trit noch a trit! Gej ich um un ich kler: noch ein trit un nit mer. Noch ejn blik, un a trer, un bis glik Blejbt ein trit un nit mer, un nit mer. Bejnk ich je, bejnk ich nit? Zu asoj, nit asoj? Un geworfen in schajter a schtroi noch a schtroi! Hent mit hent, harz mit harz, nacht is schwarz, Un gebrent hent mit hent, harz mit harz. Zien sich chmares oif, Harz majns, oif, Harz majns. Eine farschwund'n-a zweite ich trog, Ach du, majn geir'l, du schwarz majns, du schwarz majns! Scheinkst mir di nacht nor, un kejnmol dem tog! Un kumt tog in heln mit brenende sunen Un blenzt di ejgen mit schimer un pracht, Fil ich dich, gejril, zusamen geshpunen mit sunik'n zanken, Mit schwarzkajt fun nacht. Paula Eisenstein Baker 9)---------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 25 Jun 2003 09:19:31 -0400 (EDT) From: Joseph Ness Subject: material for libretto Well, this is a shot in the dark. I am looking for a Jewish/Yiddish play that can be fashioned into a libretto of sorts. I am looking for a piece that is in the genre of "folk tale", maybe with a little mystery and magic... I want to create a work that would use staging. I have done much work composing. I have also orchestrated and arranged a good deal of Jewish music, played by various orchestras across the U.S. and abroad. I have written a work, "The Wisdom of Chelm' with a libretto by a talented actor from the area. This is a "Peter and the Wolf" like work for speaker and orchestra. (45min. duration). Sorry to give you my resume but I would like to impress you that I am serious about wht I would like to do. Would you have any suggestions where I shoud look and/or speak to? Thank you for you time and consideration. sincerely, Joseph Ness ______________________________________________________ End of Mendele Vol. 13.004 Address for the postings to Mendele: mendele@lists.yale.edu Address for the list commands: listproc@lists.yale.edu Mendele on the Web: http://www.mendele.net http://ibiblio.org/yiddish/mendele.html