The Yiddish Book Center's

Wexler Oral History Project

A growing collection of in-depth interviews with people of all ages and backgrounds, whose stories about the legacy and changing nature of Yiddish language and culture offer a rich and complex chronicle of Jewish identity.

"Your Language Explains You": On Translation through the Soul

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Elissa Samberg, Philadelphia native, explains that a person's native language is part of their soul. She discusses the difficult task of translating Yiddish to her children, because the meaning is so much more than literal.

This is an excerpt from an oral history with Elissa Samberg.

This excerpt is in English.

Elissa Samberg was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1956.

Other video highlights from this oral history

Blessing from the Elders: Meeting her Husband

2 min 58 sec

Memories of Rosh Hashanah: Black and White Cookies and Plum Brandy

1 min 16 sec

The Old Country in 60s Philadelphia: Row Homes and Jewish Delis

3 min 38 sec

Growing up in the Synagogue

2 min 32 sec

"Part of the Walls": A Culturally Jewish Home

2 min 59 sec

"Eastern Europe in my Backyard": Childhood Memories of Yiddish

2 min 36 sec

"I Thought Only Bubbies Could Make Kasha!"

1 min 17 sec

Lessons from Pirkei Avot: A Way of Being Now

1 min 41 sec

More information about this oral history excerpt

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