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.

Shirley Zaft Benyas's Oral History

Shirley Zaft Benyas, singer and Yiddish theater actress, was interviewed by Christa Whitney on June 29, 2016 in West Bloomfield, Michigan.

This interview was conducted in Yiddish and English.

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Video highlights from this oral history

My Mother Left Her Family Behind when She Emigrated

1 min 14 sec

Singing "Glick" by Michal Michalesko

1 min 3 sec

Singing "Shlof mayn kind (Sleep my child)," a Lullaby by Sholem Aleichem

59 sec

The Sholem Aleichem Institute in Michigan

3 min 30 sec

Growing Up Jewish on 12th Street in Detroit in the 1930s

2 min 19 sec

Patriotism and My Mother's American Citizenship Papers

58 sec

Artifacts related to this oral history

Painting of Shirley by Glick 2

Photo of Parents

Portrait of Father at Desk

Shirley in Costume on Steps

Shirley on Stage Acting

Shirley Performance Photo Album

Shirley's Headshots

Yortsayt Poem and Artwork

Affectionate Portrait with Shirley and Sons

Baby Photos and Artwork

Painting of Shirley by Glick

More information about this oral history

Themes:

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