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Newsletter SPRING 2018

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Letter from the Director Contact The Edward Blank YIVO Vilna Collections Project, launched in 2014, recently announced the discovery of tel 212.246.6080 fax 212.292.1892 170,000 pages of materials—diaries, memoirs, rabbin- yivo.org ical writings, literary manuscripts, communal registers, artworks, plays, and many other kinds of works. This General Inquiries discovery and the larger Project is the work of many [email protected] friends: those of the dedicated to saving Archival Inquiries the remnant of in the during [email protected] Photo/Film Archives | photofilm yivo cjh org the Holocaust; those now working together on what @ . . Sound Archives | [email protected] was saved in and New York; those who support this work both financially and in innumerable other ways; and those who are in the growing community of Library Inquiries YIVO worldwide. Usually overlooked, friendship is often at the heart of why from [email protected] hour to hour and day to day we carry on with the ordinary tasks that can become extraordinary, such as the incredible heroism of the Paper Brigade. In another act of Travel Directions supreme friendship Antanas Ulpis, Head of the Lithuanian Book Chamber, who was The YIVO Institute for Jewish Research is located in the Center for at 15 West 16th Street between Fifth and not a and probably knew very few, if any, of the people whose lives he affected, Sixth Avenues, New York, NY 10011. saved YIVO’s Vilna Collection from the Soviets in 1948. We honor our friends across generations, across continents, and across the divisions that often separate us. by subway 14 St / Union Sq. L N Q R 4 5 6

14 St + 6 Ave F L M PATH 18 St + 7 Ave 1 Jonathan Brent 14 St + 7 Ave 1 2 3 14 St + 8 Ave A C E L Executive Director & CEO by bus

The YIVO Institute for Jewish Research is dedicated to the preservation and study of [ closed on major federal and ] the history and culture of East European Jewry worldwide. For nearly a century, YIVO Hours has pioneered new forms of Jewish scholarship, research, education, and cultural Gallery Hours Administrative Hours expression. Our public programs and exhibitions, as well as online and on-site courses, Sun 11:00am-5:00pm Mon–Thu 9:00am-5:00pm Mon+Wed 9:30am-8:00pm Fri 9:00am-4:00pm extend our global outreach and enable us to share our vast resources. The YIVO Tue+Thu 9:30am-5:00pm Archives contains more than 23 million original items and YIVO’s Library has over Fri 9:30am-3:00pm Library Hours 400,000 volumes—the single largest resource for such study in the world. Sat closed Mon–Thu 9:30am-5:00pm SPRING / SUMMER SEASON PROGRAMS IMMERSION FOR 11:00am-1:00pm LAUNCH EVENT AND CULTURAL ONLINE CLASS CLASS ONLINE SYMPOSIUM CHILDREN OF APR. 16 APR. OF ACTIVITY ACTIVITY OF ASTRONAUT FEB. 26 FEB. A MORNING MAR. 4 MAR. EXHIBITION BOOK TALK APR. 3 APR. MAY 7 MAY 1 MAY TUESDAY TUESDAY MONDAY MONDAY MONDAY OPENING ALL AGES ALL SUNDAY MEET AN AN MEET 6:30pm 7:00pm 7:00pm 7:00pm 7:00pm popular entertainment today.popular entertainment on to have continues it impact lasting the discover we as Theater, of world exciting the into delve we’ll guests, Educational Series. Featuring special Online Shine YIVO’s in course third the Stage Yiddish the of Story The Love! in I’m Mama, Oh of launch the for us Join Stage Yiddish the of Story The I’m Love! in Mama, Oh Shakespeare’s most Jewishly relevant play. expanding body of Jewish responses to ever- the examines which Shapiro, Michael with co-edited book, recent her about Nahshon Edna by led discussion A dynamic Merchant of Venice The to Responses Jewish Wrestling with Shylock: learned. to be yet have genocide of acts in intervening and preventing about lessons what and discourse, political and public in role shifting Holocaust’s the Convention, the of U.S.’s adoption the of history contentious the addresses symposium this Convention, Genocide UN the of Anniversary 70th the For Present the to Past From the Genocide: and Holocaust University Museum. Yeshiva Institute, Baeck Leo Society, History, American Jewish Historical Jewish for Center with Co-presented more. and Works, Small Great by show Baker, apuppet Shane with storytelling sing-alongs with Eléonore Biezunski, Gefilteria, The of Yoskowitz Jeffrey and Alpern Liz with treats holiday fun: family of Mash-Up March A Purim-themed Festival A Family Mash-Up: March presented with Center for Jewish History. Co- exhibition. stellar this at look first a and fun, space-themed tours, curator Enjoy heavens. the to understand quest Jewish the Explore begins! countdown The Tribe Orbit the of in Members Space: in Jewish History. for Center with Museum. Co-presented Space and Air National Smithsonian the of curator Neal, Dr. Valerie with astronauts Jewish of history the of overview an feature also will event The Hoffman. Jeffrey astronaut from out Find gravity? zero in adreidel to spin like it What’s Orbit in Jews , JACOB KRONHILL KRONHILL JACOB CONCERT SERIES YOUNG ARTISTS ARTISTS YOUNG PERFORMANCE BOOK RELEASE WEDNESDAY SIDNEY KRUM KRUM SIDNEY SING-ALONG MAY 22 MAY MAY 23 MAY MAY 14 MAY THEATRICAL THURSDAY THURSDAY JUL. 19 JUL. PROFESSOR JUN. 7 JUN. TUESDAY MONDAY LECTURE VISITING 7:00pm 7:00pm 7:00pm 7:00pm 7:00pm Watch past YIVO events at yivo.org/Video at events YIVO past Watch [ Hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays ·9:00am-5:00pm] &Thursdays Tuesdays Hours:

FOR EVENT TICKETS & MORE INFORMATION:MORE email authors David Biale and Samuel Heilman. Samuel and Biale David authors from apresentation with , modern shaped that movement pietistic the of History ANew Hasidism: of launch book The ANew History Hasidism: milieu. artistic his on and work, and lecture on Stutschewsky’spre-concert life a6:00pm delivers W. Levin Neil concert. this for YIVO by commissioned Ben-Amots Ofer by composition anew and Israel, and Russia in coteries his of composers and Stutschewsky Joachim by music chamber avariety featuring Bournaki, Marika Performances by Julian Schwartz and World His of Music the and Joachim Stutschewsky into translated English. been before never has and memory living in onstage seen been not has weeks, coming the in announced be will play, which The Rickman. Lewis Allen from translation English anewly-commissioned in theater Yiddish of heyday the from A play Translation in Play Yiddish Story of the Yiddish Stage Yiddish the of Story The Love! In I’m Mama, Oh course, theater Yiddish online our of launch the celebrate we as songs theater Jewish favorite of asing-along for us Join love. and know still we songs popular of awealth produced has theater Jewish the Man,” a Rich “ From Jewish Theater Sing-along to follow. Jewish History. Reception European East in Scholar Visiting Kronhill 2018 YIVO’s Jacob Berman, Paul by given lecture Kronhill annual our for us Join Against Communism Struggle Anarchist Heroic and Unknown The Not in the New York New the in area?Not visit : call boxoffice Bay mir bistu sheyn bistu mir Bay , the first comprehensive history history comprehensive first , the : yivo.org/Events : 917.606.8290 @ yivo.cjh.org . ” to “If I Were IWere ” to “If

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News Study Tours of Eastern Europe

Karen Underhill Joins YIVO Board MAY 17 – 25, 2018 Karen Underhill is Assistant Professor of NEW! 2018 YIVO Literary Tour of Jewish Galicia Polish Literature and Polish Experience the landscapes, environment, and culture that at the University of Illinois at Chicago influenced such writers as Shai Agnon, I.L. Peretz, Isaac Babel, Department of Slavic and Baltic Languages and Bruno Schulz. Noted historian Dr. Samuel Kassow and Dr. and Literatures, and a member of the board Eddy Portnoy, Senior Researcher and Director of Exhibitions of Chicago YIVO Society. Her research at at YIVO, will guide you on a unique journey of literary and the intersection of Polish and Jewish cul- cultural discovery. tures and literatures focuses on Polish and Yiddish modernisms; Bruno Schulz and JUNE 19 – JULY 1, 2018 Galician Jewish culture in the interwar period; and changing narratives of Poland 2018 YIVO and Poland Study Tour as a multilingual and pluralist space of Together with Dr. Samuel Kassow, examine the life that was encounter. She received her PhD in Polish lived and lost as you reconnect with your own heritage. and Jewish Studies at the University of Chicago in 2011, was YIVO’s Discover the fascinating treasures of old , Krakow, 2012-2013 Joseph Kremen Memorial Fellow; and is co-founder Vilnius, the magical Białowieża Forest, and much, much more. of Massolit Books & Cafe in Kraków. She has designed Jewish heritage educational programs and teacher training workshops The tours are chaired by Irene Pletka, for the Taube Center for the Renewal of Jewish Life in Poland, Vice-Chair of the YIVO Board of Directors. and continues to lecture in Poland during the summers on Jewish To make a reservation, or for more information, culture and history of Poland. please contact Elina Bloch at [email protected].

YIVO Hosts Press Conference on New Discoveries of the Edward Blank YIVO Vilna Collections Project In May 2017, YIVO discovered in Vilnius, Lithuania, more than 170,000 new documents lost to history for over 70 years and thought to have been destroyed by the Nazis during the Holocaust. These rare and unpublished works represent the col- lective memory and cultural history of East European Jews. The Vilna Collections now encompass over two million book pages and more than a million pages of literary manuscripts, memoirs, This exhibit diaries, communal records, religious sermons, letters and other materials. In just three years, YIVO has raised $5.4 of the $5.6 tells the story million towards this landmark preservation and digitization project. of Jews’ relationship to On October 24th, 2017, YIVO held a press conference announc- the universe, ing this discovery. YIVO Executive Director Jonathan Brent, Dani through rare Dayan, Consul General of Israel in New York, David Fishman, 18th and Professor of Jewish History at The Jewish Theological Seminary, 19th century Jack Jacobs, professor of political science at John Jay College astronomy and the Graduate Center, City University of New York, Rolandas books, religious Kriščiūnas, Ambassador of Lithuania to the and objects taken Mexico, Linas Linkevičius, Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, and into space, Dainius Ulpis spoke at the press conference. The conference and works of science discoveries were picked up by AP, The New York Times, JTA, and other local and international broadcast, print, and online media. fiction, pop culture, and An “Evening of Music” at the other ephemera. Home of Navah Perlman and Robert Frost Last November, Navah Perlman and Robert Frost hosted an inti- mate “Evening of Music” fundraiser targeted to new and younger OPENING: STARDATE audiences. Jonathan Brent gave a presentation about YIVO’s his- tory, mission, and current initiatives. The musical program offered 02.26.2018 performances by pianist Navah Perlman, vocal duets in English and Yiddish by Leora Perlman and cantor Meredith Greenberg, and a presented by the unique musical program of classical music numbers performed by CENTER FOR JEWISH HISTORY the students of The Julliard School. Many Abraham Joshua Heschel & YIVO INSTITUTE FOR School parents attended and we made some new friends for YIVO. JEWISH RESEARCH Take a step behind the curtain and enter the world of the Yiddish theater in Oh Mama, I’m in Love! The Story of the Yiddish Stage, the third course in YIVO’s Shine Online Educational Series, presented by Edward Blank and Family. Join leading scholars of Yiddish theater as they trace the history of Jewish performance in 25 lecture videos and discussions. Explore Yiddish theater as a global phenomenon through images and playbills from more than 20 countries. Get to know the greatest Yiddish actors, producers, designers, and playwrights, many of whom would go on to have successful careers on the American stage and screen, including Molly Picon, Paul Muni, and Stella Adler. Discover the impact that Yiddish theater continues to have on popular entertainment today.

Immerse yourself in nearly 1,000 archival objects and documents, FROM THE YIVO ARCHIVES THE YIVO FROM including never-before-seen photographs, newly digitized audio clips, original posters and advertisements, and vibrant set and costume designs that bring the Molly Picon in Circus Girl at the Second Avenue Theater, 1928. Yiddish theater to life. Picon plays a circus performer who dresses like a child to save on train fare. In this getup she falls in love with a man. They marry after she reveals her true identity. Course launches May 1, 2018

Education at YIVO

Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Spring Classes Register for spring classes at . the Summer Program in yivo.org/Classes Yiddish Language, Literature, and Culture The Eternal Kurt Weill: His Road from Jewish to American Music and Back · instructor: Neil Levin begins February 21 · 6 Sessions (wednesdays) 6:00pm-8:00pm June 25 – August 3, 2018 Jewish Anarchism · instructor: Paul Berman * NEW! Tuition is now $2,000 begins March 1 · 6 Sessions (thursdays) 6:00pm-8:00pm

Spend six weeks this summer immersed in Yiddish and discover Advanced Beginning Yiddish · instructor: Eve Jochnowitz 1,000 years of Jewish history, while celebrating the 50th begins February 28 · 10 Sessions (wednesdays) 5:00pm-7:00pm anniversary of the longest-running intensive Yiddish program Intermediate Yiddish · instructor: Paula Teitelbaum in the world. begins February 26 · 10 Sessions (mondays) 6:30pm-8:30pm

Through language classes, seminars, theater workshops, YIVO’s Shine Online Educational Series sing-alongs, and excursions throughout , you’ll Explore Jewish history and culture and access our unique collec- explore the riches of the Yiddish language and East European tion of archival materials from the comfort of your home: Jewish culture in its many contexts. yivo.org/Online-Classes

Discover the exciting world of Yiddish New York, as you walk YIVO-Bard Winter Program on Ashkenazi Civilization the historic streets of the Lower East Side and learn about the This January, over 100 students attended YIVO’s Winter Program great Yiddish writers who made New York home. Delve into the on Ashkenazi Civilization, which featured eight courses spanning legacy of the Yiddish theater, the Yiddish press, and more, as a broad range of topics, from , music, and the- you explore Yiddish culture past and present at YIVO. ater to Jewish politics and history. The Winter Program offers an integrated curriculum in the culture, history, languages, and We hope to see you this summer! literatures of East European Jews and the . This Apply now at: summerprogram.yivo.org year’s theme was “Madness & Tyranny,” with courses taught by leading academics and artists, including Jonathan Brent, Anthony * Undergraduate and Graduate students may be eligible for Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) summer fellowships. For more information, please contact your Coleman, David Fishman, Stefanie Halpern, Jack Jacobs, Annie university or college department regarding the FLAS application and deadline. Polland, Jan Schwarz, Michael Walzer, and John Zorn. Need some more drama in your life?

Join the crowd.

Program Highlights GOLDSCHMIDT LES

OH MAMA, I’M IN LOVE! The Book Smugglers (OCTOBER 10, 2017) David Fishman’s newest book, The Book Smugglers, chronicles a little-known chapter the from the darkest days of Jewish history: the story of the STORY OF THE courageous Jews of the “Paper Brigade,” who risked their lives to rescue thousands of rare books and manu- YIDDISH STAGE scripts—from the Nazis and the Soviets—by hiding them on their bodies, burying them in bunkers in the Vilna Ghetto, and smuggling them across borders. YIVO.ORG/OHMAMA 120th Anniversary of the YIVO’S SHINE ONLINE Founding of the Jewish Labor Bund EDUCATIONAL SERIES (OCTOBER 22, 2017) YIVO commemorated the 120th presented by anniversary of the founding of the Jewish Labor Bund, the socialist movement which has figured so promi- EDWARD BLANK & FAMILY nently in the history of East European and world Jewry. Participants included Hinde Ena Burstin, Jack Jacobs, Clare Kinberg, , Zalmen Mlotek, Avram Patt, Moishe Rosenfield, Daniel Soyer, David Slucki, Ann Recent Acquisitions Toback, Alex Weiser, and Marvin Zukerman.

Jews In and After the 1917 Russian Revolution (NOVEMBER 5-6, 2017) YIVO’s sold out two-day con- ference explored the context of and immediate reac- tion to the Revolution, Jewish life in the Soviet Union, and the Revolution’s lasting impact today. Participating scholars: Elissa Bemporad, Jonathan Brent, Mitchell Cohen, Evgeny Dobrenko, Gennady Estraikh, David Fishman, Zvi Gitelman, Samuel Kassow, Catriona Kelly, Harvey Klehr, Cecile Kuznitz, Eli Lederhendler, James Loeffler, Sean McMeekin, Joshua Meyers, Tony Michels, Kenneth Moss, Gary Saul Morson, Harriet Murav, Joshua Rubenstein, Gabriella Safran, Michael Scammel, and Steven Zipperstein. The Forward described the confer- BARBARA KIRSHENBLATT-GIMBLETT PRESENTING YIVO STAFF WITH HER FATHER’S LITHOGRAPH. ence as “so informative and fascinating that it actually changes the perspective of the participant.” The YIVO Archives Art Collection has recently been enriched by a fascinat- ing donation. Prof. Barbara Kirshenblatt-Gimblett of NYU and the POLIN A Yiddish Liederabend — Museum in Poland donated a beautiful Purim lithograph by her father, An Evening of Yiddish Song Mayer Kirshenblatt. The lithograph is a black and white rendition of Mayer An elegant, nostalgic program Kirshenblatt’s colorful Purim painting, featured on the cover of his well- (DECEMBER 13, 2017) devoted to treasures of Yiddish song, presented in known book, They Called Me Mayer July: Painted Memories of a Jewish the intimate chamber music setting of a traditional Childhood in Poland Before the Holocaust that he co-authored with his Liederabend (song evening). The concert featured four daughter Barbara (Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press, of the genre’s leading interpreters: Ida Rae Cahana, 2007). Kirshenblatt, who possessed a remarkable visual memory, recreated Elizabeth Shammash, Raphael Frieder, Simon Spiro, and the Purim scene and story around it exactly as he remembered it from his a cameo appearance by Robert Paul Abelson, together childhood in Opatów: a well-to-do aged couple from his community and with world-renowned virtuoso pianist Yehudi Wyner. Neil their foster child visited by a group of purimshpilers and klezmer musicians Levin, YIVO’s Anne E. Leibowitz Visiting Professor-in- looking forward to a generous reward for their performance. The lithograph Residence in Music, delivered a pre-concert lecture. The represents the same scene slightly differently, changing the family’s posi- range of music, poetry, and expression was a testament tioning for a more dramatic contrast between the joyful purimshpilers and to the versatility of this genre, and the sold-out event is slightly gloomy, though warm atmosphere of the house. evidence of the appeal of Yiddish song and poetry today. YIVO gratefully acknowledges the following individuals, foundations, corporations, and government agencies for their support in 2017.

In addition, we extend our gratitude to all YIVO’s 2017 Study Tour participants pose in front of YIVO members, each of whom is critical to the Lithuanian Central State our success. Our Supporters Archives in Vilnius.

$500,000-$999,999 Shari and Jacob Safra Elayne and Stephen Kollins Stuart Schear and Jeffrey Shandler Allyn Kramer Ruth and David Levine Lottie Tartell Deborah and Herbert Krasnow The Alice Lawrence Foundation, Inc. Ruth Kremen $100,000-$499,999 The H.A. Wittcoff and D.B. Wittcoff Family Alys Kremer Atran Foundation, Inc. Charitable Fund Chava Lapin Edward Blank The Harold Reich Goldmann Charitable Trust Joan Larsen Lillian and Joel Cohen The Heisman Memorial Trophy Leona Laskin National Endowment for the Humanities The Marcia Israel Foundation, Inc. Ann Leibowitz Seedlings Foundation The Rosalie Katz Family Foundation Barbara and Len Mazur Irene Pletka and The Kronhill Pletka Foundation Frances Weinstein Marci Halevi and Jonathan Mishkin Sandra Pine and Mildred Suesser Barbara and Steve Wolf Audrey and Mark Mlotek Anonymous Renee and James Nachbar $1,000-$4,999 New York City Department of Cultural Affairs Deborah Ugoretz and Samuel Norich $50,000-$99,999 1865 Mutual Benevolent Society, Inc. Donna and Elliott Palevsky Anne E. Leibowitz Fund Helen and Michael Abeles Deborah and Henry Pasch Estate of Gladys Benbasat Perle and Irving Abrahamson Irene Pipes Estate of John Berezin Carmela and Milton Ackman Laurie Robinson Estate of Shirley Leibowitz Helen Adams Zina Sapir-Rosen and Rotem Rosen Amy Goldman Fowler Nancy and Andrew Adelson Ruth and Gabriel Ross Good Will Foundation American Society for Karen and Christopher Scheer Bruce Slovin Robert Arnow Jacqueline and Isaac Shapiro Anonymous Berko Family Trust Andrea and Philip Sherman Eve and Anthony Bonner Carren Shulman Frances and Jonathan Brent $25,000-$49,999 Geula and Joshua Solomon Miriam and Alan Brody Estate of Michael Ross Suzanne Wolbers and Julius Spiegel Columbia University Estate of Rudy Grunfeld Norton Spiel Congregation Emanu-el in the City of New York Susanne and Jacob Morowitz Onella and Brian Stagoll David Himelberg Foundation Kate and Ilya Prizel Renee and Stephen Steinig Marvin Davis The Derfner Foundation Loyce Sulkes Mary Ann Rous de los Reyes and David Duarte Anonymous (2) Taube Foundation for Jewish Life and Culture Elias A. Cohen Foundation, Inc. The Frieda & George Zinberg Foundation, Inc. Miriam Engel The Gelb Family Foundation $10,000-$24,999 Estate of Albert Schnitzer The Herman Kaiser Foundation Estate of Miriam T. Zuger Estate of Jean Appleton The Judith L. Fisher Fund of the Jewish Anita and Steven Feinstein Faina Burko Community Foundation Feuerring Foundation Leo Melamed and The Chicago Mercantile Exchange The Workmen’s Circle Rhoda and Stanley Fischer Toby Clyman Michael Traison Cheryl and Mark Friedman Rose and Robert Epstein Hayley and Michael Trock Miriam and Richard Friedman Linda Witham and Eugene Finkin Steven Unger Doris Fromberg Ruth Hochberger and Martin Flumenbaum US Embassy in Vilnius Susan Ganc Andrea and Warren Grover Deborah Waroff Edward Geffner Susan and Roger Hertog Judith Weisfuse and Michael Wax GFF Foundation Joanna and Emil Kleinhaus Sofia and Marek Web Elisabeth and Max Gitter Dinah Rosoff Lynn and Elisha Wiesel Brian Gocial Rothschild Foundation (Hanadiv) Europe Jerry Yaffe Goldfarb & Fleece LLP Elisa New and Lawrence Summers Irina Zhabinskaya and Mattias Zhabinskiy Goldman, Sachs & Co. Matching Gift Program The Milch Family Foundation Lawrence Zivin Karen Underhill and Richard Meller Barry Goldstein Joseph Wofchuck Joan and Robert Goldstein CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED Anonymous Larry and Yvette Gralla JANUARY 1, 2017 - DECEMBER 31, 2017 Neil and Dorothy Grand $5,000-$9,999 David Greenberg Rita Grunwald Charles Grunfeld Foundation, Inc. Carol and Earle Halsband Estate of Adele Bernardi Muriel and Samuel Harris To make a Major Gift or to Estate of Marilyn Apelson Henry and Marilyn Taub Foundation Florence and Laurence Spungen Family Foundation Highland-Mills Foundation remember YIVO in your will, please Genesis Philanthropy Group Hoffen Family Foundation contact Irma Friedman, Director of Rosina Abramson and Jeffrey Glen Judy Iwanier Development, at 212.294.6156 or Arlene Goldstein Feygele Jacobs and Michael Cholden-Brown Estelle M. Guzik Susan Milamed and Jack Jacobs [email protected]. Hakim Family Foundation Kenneth Jacobs Harry and Sadie Lasky Foundation Jewish Community Youth Foundation Your Gift will help YIVO to preserve Rosemary Horowitz Virginia Robinson and Emile Karafiol Koret Foundation and digitize our exclusive archival Nicole Duval and Elai Katz materials and ensure that the flame League for Yiddish, Inc. Robert M. Kern Louis Williams Foundation, Inc. Sharon Kessler of Jewish culture and memory is Shoshana Quint and Jonathan Melmed E. Leon Kier preserved for future generations: Nina Rogow Tracy Kitzman yivo.org/Donate