Sholem Aleichem (1859-1916)
Sholem Aleichem, Yiddish literature's most beloved author, was one of the very few modern writers to speak for an entire people. Born in Russia in 1859 as Solomon Rabinovitz, he died in New York in 1916. He created many memorable characters, including Tevye (which was adapted for the hit musical "Fiddler on the Roof").
NB: Book early (see below) as these events are heavily in demand!
25 OCTOBER - - - - - - - - - -
On Sunday 25 Oct, the film Tevya will be shown at the Beyachad Centre (@10 for 10h30). This award-winning Yiddish feature film stars the renowned actor Maurice Schwartz*. This classic film, preserved from the original nitrate negative with new English subtitles has been digitally restored and augmented with extras and program notes.
Maurice Schwartz's* adaptation of the classic Sholem Aleichem play centres on Khave, Tevye the Dairyman’s daughter, who falls in love with Fedye, the son of a Ukrainian peasant. Her courtship and marriage pit Tevye’s love for his daughter against his deep-seated faith and loyalty to tradition. The clash between tradition and modernity, parental authority and love, customs and enlightenment are foreshadowed by the anti-Semitism of the rural community.
Tevye's world is a microcosm of the larger world of Russian Jewry in the early 1900s.
The film will be discussed by Selwyn Klass, a well known film commentator.
Book early to secure your place. Donations of R30 (you can, of course, give more) includes refreshments. Contact Norma Shulman on Tel: 011 645-2567; Fax: 011 640-1325; or e-mail: library@beyachad.co.za. A special price of R50 will apply if booking for both of these events.
15 NOVEMBER - - - - - - - - - -
On Sunday 15 November, Cedric Ginsberg will be presenting a lecture on Sholem Aleichem at the Beyachad Centre (@ 10 for 10H30). Cedric will present a biographical sketch of the famous author and talk about his works, particularly those about Menachem Mendl and Tevye.
Selected clips from the film “Fiddler on the Roof” will be shown and Cedric will connect the newer film to Maurice Schwartz’ original Tevye. This is a “not-to-be-missed occasion to re-connect with the incredible talent of Sholem Aleichem” say the organisers.
Book early to secure your place. Donations of R30 (you can, of course, give more) includes refreshments. Contact Norma Shulman on Tel: 011 645-2567; Fax: 011 640-1325; or e-mail: library@beyachad.co.za. A special price of R50 will apply if booking for both of these events.
*Maurice Schwartz was not only one of the world's foremost Yiddish actors. He was also the founder and leader of the Yiddish Art Theatre of New York. Under his leadership, the talented theatre troupe performed in many high-quality Yiddish productions, always striving to maintain Schwartz's elite artistic standards.
Those put off by the thought of Alfred Molina in Fiddler on the Roof should try Tevye, directed by and starring Maurice Schwartz. This 1939 version of the Sholem Aleichem classic, in which Schwartz plays the earthy and long-suffering dairyman of Boyberik with just the right mixture of irony and compassion. Tevye ends with the milkman's family and his goat heading off for the Holy Land under the shadow of European persecution.
Sholem, Shalom or Sholom?
In the course of researching information for the pictures and articles on the Sholem Aleichem, I found that his name is generally spelled “Sholem” in South Africa and “Shalom” in the US.
I spoke to Norma Shulman at the Beyachad Resource Centre (who has been instrumental in putting the 150th Aleichem anniversary events together). Her immediate response was “Sholem” – as was the response of every South African I asked. Norma checked a book cover for me and found it to be spelled “Sholom.”
As he had been born “Solomon”, this third spelling may well have been his own preference.
Site users who can add either questions or answers to this discussion, please send mails to katza@avusa.co.za and we will keep the rest of our users updated.
Sholem Aleichem and family Rosh Hashanah card 1889.jpg
