מענדעלע

A brand-new textbook for beginners "Yiddish: An Introduction to the Language, Literature and Culture" by Sheva Zucker will be available soon from the Jewish Book Center of The Workmen's Circle (800 922-2558 x285).

A soon-to-be "must" textbook written by an experienced Yiddish teacher. Applies state-of-the-art techniques of language instruction, beginning with the alef-beyz. "...has many benefits: up-to-date language, uniform spelling (according to YIVO standards) and much more." - Dr. Mordkhe Schaechter, Professor Emeritus, Columbia University.

Iosif Vaisman (no business relations with The Workmen's Circle)

Several MENDELEs ago, there was an inquiry from Toronto regarding Jacob Zipper. I'm surprised that none of our Canadian (or expatriate Canadian) subscribers haven't pounced on that question, leaving it to me, an ersatz Montrealer (six years of Mrs. Whyte's pickles and smoked meat sandwiches), to respond. Since I am a bibliographer by trade, I will refer our York University reader (please excuse my not having your name handy) to the following bio-bibliographical sources:

(1) Leksikon fun der nayer yidisher literatur [Biographical dictionary of modern Yiddish literature], vol. 3 (New York: Congress for Jewish Culture, 1960), cols. 652-653). Ziper, born Yankev Shtern, on Oct. 10, 1900, was a native of Szczebrzeszyn, Poland -- known in Yiddish as Shebreshin -- but was raised in Tyszowce/Tishevits. He emigrated to Canada in 1925 and was for many years a teacher in, and (later) principal of Montreal's Y. L. Perets-shul, which later merged with the Yidishe folks-shul. (Both of these Yiddish schools were affiliated with the Labor Zionist movement, but the Folks-shul had a somewhat greater emphasis on Hebrew.) The "Leksikon" article lists Ziper's publications to 1960, plus a number of citations for articles about him.

(2) Fuks, Khayim Leyb/Fox, Ch. L. 100 yor yidishe un hebreishe literatur in Kanade [100 years of Yiddish and Hebrew literature in Canada] (Montreal: 1980), pp. 125-128. Includes a more detailed biography of Ziper, along with excerpts of critical appraisals of the author and his works, plus citations for articles about him.

(3) Kahn/Kagan, Berl. Leksikon fun yidish-shraybers [Lexicon of Yiddish writers] (New York: 1986), col. 265. Update of item no. (1). Ziper died in Montreal, on April 15, 1983. It might be noted in this connection that he served as editor of the memorial book for Tyszowce, Pinkes Tishevits (Tel Aviv: 1970), which was used in extenso by David and Diane Roskies, in The shtetl book, first published by Ktav in the mid-1970s. Ziper also wrote several books of his own (fiction, essays).

The Shterns were quite a literary family. Ziper's brothers, Sholem Shtern and Yekhiel Shtern (Ish Ya'ir) were both Yiddish poets -- the former, quite a prolific one, a kind of bard of Yiddish Canada (author of the epic "Di mishpokhe in Kanada," a parallel of sorts to Y. Y. Shvarts/I. J. Schwartz's "Kentoki" [Kentucky]). Sholem Shtern was "linked" (sorry about that) with the Yiddish Communist movement for many years. There is a wonderful photo of him adorning p. 53 of the absolutely outstanding photo album by Edward Hillel, The Main: portrait of a neighbourhood (Toronto: Key Porter, 1987). Ziper's sister, Shifra Shtern Krishtalka, was also (I believe) a teacher. She is listed in Kagan's Leksikon and has recently published a Yiddish children's book. She donated her husband's collection of ephemera to the Jewish Public Library in Montreal about 10 years ago, and it includes some very unusual everyday items from the 1930s and 1940s.

For further information about Ziper and his siblings, contact the Jewish Public Library, 5151, chemin de la Cote Ste-Catherine, Montreal, Quebec H3W 1M6. The contact person is most likely Ronald Finegold.

Zachary Baker

Yudl Mark's "Invitation to Yiddish" has been out-of-print for about four years. I believe it was published by the American Jewish Congress. We approached them about reissuing the book or giving us permission to publish the book. We were refused on both counts. Since then, we have put more effort into the long awaited Sheva Zucker book.

The book has been delayed for a multitude of reasons. Most have to do with the corrections and typesetting. We originally listed the book on the strength of the typesetters promise to be done by a certain date. At this point, I am delaying listing it in any future catalogues until I am physically holding it in my hands! I hope the book will be available in May. You will have to ask Sheva for more details.

Stephen Dowling

Can anyone provide me with name/email for anyone connected with an Israel University's Yiddish program? Or someone who might know someone who can provide such information? A summer program is preferable, but any Yiddish program (for intermediate Yiddish) will be great.

Thanks!

Dvoyre Halperin Biasca