About this program:

Yiddish Ukraine: Songs and Stories

Featuring: Caraid O’Brien | Eleanor Reissa | Frank London | Hal Robinson | Mikhl Yashinsky

A prerecorded program of readings and songs from Yiddish works in translation by Yiddish writers from Ukraine including Blume Lempel, Mendel Osherowitz, Dora Shulner, and Sholem Aleichem. Translations by Ellen Cassedy, Sharon Power, Elena Hoffenberg, and Hillel Halkin. Readings by actors Hal Robinson, Eleanor Reissa, Caraid O’Brien, and Mikhl Yashinsky, with music by Eleanor Reissa and Frank London.

The long and complicated history of Jews in Ukraine was not always a happy one, but it would be a mistake to think of it as an unmitigated series of upheavals. To the contrary, the region gave rise to some of the greatest achievements of Jewish literature and culture, as the collections of the Yiddish Book Center bear witness.

At this moment, with Ukraine under attack and its people and their Jewish president fighting for their very survival, we remember our shared history and highlight some of the enduring creations of Yiddish writers from Ukraine.

We encourage you to consider a donation to HIAS in support of Ukrainian refugees or another charity of your choice.