{"id":274,"date":"2012-09-22T10:29:18","date_gmt":"2012-09-22T14:29:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.bu.edu\/guidedhistory\/?page_id=274"},"modified":"2012-12-13T12:42:42","modified_gmt":"2012-12-13T16:42:42","slug":"ian-rollins","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bu.edu\/guidedhistory\/jews-in-russia-and-eastern-europe\/ian-rollins\/","title":{"rendered":"Modern Yiddish Literature"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Ian Rollins<\/p>\n

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Introduction<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The Jewish people have experienced many changes throughout the centuries.\u00a0 Chased out of Western Europe, they were welcomed to settle Germany, Poland, and Russia. \u00a0As their population began to grow, the Christian overlords changed their tactics in dealing with the Jews; first separation, then integration. \u00a0 In the 17th century, the West moved towards the\u00a0Enlightenment, and the East soon followed. \u00a0Many Jewish intellectuals began to sense that Jewish society was lagging behind, so they set out to change this.\u00a0 With the onset of the Haskalah, the Jewish Enlightenment, in the 19th century, Jewish literature blossomed.\u00a0 Centers in major cities like Kiev, Odessa, and St. Petersburg became intellectual meccas for the Jewish intelligentsia.\u00a0 Authors writing in both Yiddish and Hebrew covered topics ranging from criticisms of the “Shtetl Jew” to questions of a Jewish state.<\/p>\n

This enlightenment was welcomed by many, and soon Jewish students began entering University, moving into the major cities, and acquiring vast fortunes. Secularization became the norm for these modern Jews, and through it acceptance. \u00a0The situation for the Jews, however, was not always stable. \u00a0Reforms passed by previous monarchs began to be ignored or replaced. \u00a0Anti-Jewish sentiment was widespread. \u00a0As the world moved into the 20th century,\u00a0Jews began to leave the continent their ancestors had called home for centuries.\u00a0 They settled everywhere, from Buenos Ares to Johannesburg. \u00a0Soon major Yiddish literary centers were located everywhere but Eastern Europe, and many of these authors looked both at the past and into the future to influence their works.<\/p>\n

General Overview<\/strong><\/h2>\n

“Modern” Yiddish literature has its roots in the Haskalah, or Enlightenment, the Jewish society underwent in the 19th century. \u00a0In some ways, it was a confusing time for the Jews of Eastern Europe: should they abandon their centuries-old tradition of semiautonomy or integrate into the modern European world? \u00a0Many Jews also began to emigrate to the Holy Land and even pondered the thought of the creation of a Jewish state.<\/p>\n

A History of Yiddish Literature<\/span><\/p>\n

This book, while lengthy, has a wide variety of information on Yiddish literature from its beginnings to modern times.\u00a0 It includes information on various centers of Yiddish centers across Europe and the Americas.\u00a0 It also has information on an assortment of Yiddish authors, poets, and playwrights.<\/p>\n

Liptzin, Sol. A History of Yiddish Literature<\/em>. New York: Jonathan David Publishers, 1972.<\/p>\n

Yiddish Literature: Its Scope and Major Writers<\/span><\/p>\n

This book acts as a sort of encyclopedia of Yiddish authors, poets and dramatists. It also contains a substantial chapter on Yiddish writings in the Soviet Union.<\/p>\n

Madison, Charles A.\u00a0 Yiddish Literature: Its Scope and Major Writers<\/em>.\u00a0 New York: Frederick Unger Publishing Co.1968<\/p>\n

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A Bridge of Longing: The Lost Art of Yiddish Storytelling<\/span><\/p>\n

This book provides useful information on famous Yiddish writers and their works, including Nachman of Bratlsav, founder of one of the major branches of Hasidism.<\/p>\n

Roskies, David G. A Bridge of Longing: The Lost Art of Yiddish Storytelling<\/em>. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. 1995<\/p>\n

Maturing of Yiddish Literature<\/span><\/p>\n

This work gives extensive coverage on Yiddish literary centers in post revolutionary Russia.\u00a0 It also covers important centers and movements in the nineteenth century and twentieth centuries.<\/p>\n

Liptzin, Sol. Maturing of Yiddish Literature<\/em>. New York: Jonathan David Publishers, 1970.<\/p>\n

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Classic Yiddish Fiction: Abromovitsh, Sholem Aleichem, & Peretz<\/span><\/p>\n

The book discusses the lives and works of the \u201cgrandfather, father, and grandson\u201d of Yiddish literature.<\/p>\n

Frieden, Ken. Classic Yiddish Fiction: Abromovitsh, Sholem Aleichem, & Peretz<\/em>. New York: State University of New York Press. 1995.<\/p>\n

Yiddish Literature After 1800<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Part of the YIVO Encyclopedia\u2019s article on the history of Yiddish literature.\u00a0 It breaks down the 19th<\/sup> and 20th<\/sup> centuries into different categories by year and topic.\u00a0 It also contains a list of notable Yiddish writers.<\/p>\n

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Selected Authors<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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The authors below represent three major periods on Yiddish literature: its origins, its peak, and its twilight. These authors were, and are, renowned for their contributions to Yiddish literature and through it, a continuation of Jewish society into modern times.<\/span><\/h2>\n

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I.L. Peretz<\/strong><\/p>\n

Stories from Peretz<\/span><\/p>\n

A selection of Peretz\u2019s short stories.<\/p>\n

Peretz, I.L. Trans, Sol Liptzin. Stories from Peretz<\/em>. New York: Hebrew Publishing Company. 1947.<\/p>\n

IL Peretz: Psychologist of Literature<\/span><\/p>\n

An long book, this books analyzes Peretz\u2019s writings.\u00a0 It also provides commentary on his life.\u00a0 The book also takes a psychological approach to Peret\u2019z writing.<\/p>\n

Roback, A.A. IL Peretz: Psychologist of literature<\/em>. Cambridge: Sci-Art Publishers. 1935.<\/p>\n

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I.L. Peretz, Father of the Yiddish Renaissance<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>This article, from a 2003 issue of Fidelio <\/em>Magazine, provides a detailed explanation of the situation surrounding Eastern Europe around the time of the Polish Partitions and Russian policies towards the Jews.\u00a0 It also goes into great detail about Peretz\u2019s life, writings, and the various movements that he was involved in<\/p>\n

Yitskhok Leybush Peretz<\/a><\/p>\n

The YIVO Jewish Encyclopedia’s article on Peretz. \u00a0Provides concise information on his life and works.<\/p>\n

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Sholem Aleichem<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Tevye The Dairyman and The Railroad Stories<\/span><\/p>\n

Perhaps one of the most popular and widely known examples of Yiddish literature ever publish, Sholem Aleichem\u2019s Tevye der milkhiker<\/em> has inspired both a Broadway musical and an Academy and Golden Globe winning movie, Fiddler on the Roof<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Aleichem, Sholem.\u00a0 Tevye The Dairyman and The Railroad Stories, <\/em>trans. Hillel Halkin. New York: Schlocken Books.1987.<\/p>\n

Sholem Aleichem<\/span><\/p>\n

An overview of Aleichem. \u00a0This book includes detailed information about his life and life in general for Russian Jews at the time of his birth. Provides detailed descriptions and analyses of various Aleichem stories.<\/p>\n

Butwin, Frances & Butwin, Joseph. \u00a0Sholem Aleichem, <\/em>. Boston: SG. K. Hall & Co.1977.<\/p>\n

Sholem Aleichem: Laughing in the Darkness<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

The website for the film discussing Sholem Aleichem, his life, work, and impact on Jewish culture.<\/p>\n

Sholem Aleichem<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

The YIVO Jewish Encyclopedia’s article on Aleichem. \u00a0Provides information on his life and works.<\/p>\n

Ruth Wisse & Sholem Aleichem<\/span><\/p>\n

Short clips discussing Aleichem and his impact on Yiddish literature and Jewish culture from Professor Ruth Wisse of Harvard University.<\/p>\n

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