Laughter is Still Healthy: Sholem Aleichem 100 Years Later
May 22, 2016 – January 9, 2017
One of the founding fathers of modern Yiddish literature, Sholem Aleichem (Sholem Rabinovitsh) was also one of its outstanding and most beloved humorists. Born to a family of Hasidic origin in Pereyaslav (Ukraine) in 1859, he absorbed the rich Yiddish culture of the shtetl, and used it to enrich his often satiric fictional tales of Jewish life in Eastern Europe. Sholem Aleichem invented towns like Boyberik and Kasrilevke, and filled them with inhabitants like Menakhem-Mendel and his wife, Sheyne-Sheyndl, as well as the well-known Tevye the Milkman and his family, who would become the main characters of Fiddler on the Roof.
With its significant archival holdings, YIVO’s collections contain a great deal of material relating to Sholem Aleichem, including rare manuscripts, letters, photographs, and posters, among other items, many of which are used in our exhibition in honor of Sholem Aleichem’s 100th yortsayt.
Related Events
John Zorn’s score for Filmworks XX: Sholem Aleichem
Wednesday, May 18, 2016 | 7:00pm
CONCERT
John Zorn and his ensemble will be featured in the first-ever live performance of music Zorn wrote to accompany the Filmworks Sholem Aleichem documentary. Drawing on and departing from traditions of Jewish music such as Klezmer, Zorn’s score is filled with lyricism, color, and a keen sense of irony and dark humor.
A Tribute to Sholem Aleichem
Sunday, May 22, 2016 | 3:00pm
CONFERENCE, PERFORMANCE, AND EXHIBITION OPENING
In honor of Sholem Aleichem’s hundredth yortsayt, YIVO presents an afternoon of discussion and dramatic performances that will kick off an exhibition of the Sholem Aleichem Family Archive and other related materials from the YIVO Archives.