Back from the USSR: In the Footsteps of the Soviet Yiddish Propaganda Song "Hey Djankoye"

Max Weinreich Fellowship Lecture in East European Jewish Studies The Professor Bernard Choseed Memorial Fellowship and the Natalie and Mendel Racolin Memorial Fellowship Admission: Free

This lecture will trace the migration of a Yiddish propaganda song, which was originally written in the 1920s to encourage Soviet Jews to join the new colonies in Crimea and to become farmers. The melody of this song found its way to the new State of Israel and became the tune of a song which was written in March 1949, on the same day that the Israeli army conquered Um-Rashrash, known today as Eilat. During the 1960s the Soviet song was revived by American folk singers, among them Pete Seeger. 

About the Speaker

Professor David Assaf teaches in the Jewish History Department, Tel Aviv University. His work focuses the history and culture of the Jews of Eastern Europe, particularly the history of traditional Jewish society, as well as the Hasidic and the Haskalah movements, about which he has published extensively. His current research project is a social history of Jewish and Israeli folksongs.