Yiddish – Forward.com

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'Fuhgeddaboudit' in Yiddish? 'Fuhgeddaboudit' probably originated in Brooklyn's criminal underbelly. Philologos delves into underworld annals to get to its roots.Read More

Literature

Taking Yiddish Translation to the Masses

By Rukhl Schaechter

Michael Wex, the author of “Born to Kvetch” and “Just Say Nu,” has launched an indiegogo campaign to raise money to translate Yosef Opatoshu’s novel, “In Polish Forests.” Wex hopes to “pioneer a new model for literary translation while rescuing a seminal work of modern Yiddish literature from neglect.”Read More

Exhibits

How a 1976 Exhibit Changed the Way We Think About Jewish History

By Jenna Weissman Joselit

Contemporary museums dedicated to Jewish history owe a debt to 'Image Before My Eyes,' a landmark 1976 exhibition at the Jewish Museum in New York.Read More

Forward Looking Back

Kohanim Go on Strike

By Forverts

From the shtetl of Romanov, in the Mogilev Gubernia, comes news of a strike by Kohanim, the Jewish priestly class, a sure sign that the labor movement has influenced every aspect of Jewish life.Read More

On Language

Man Thinks, God Laughs, a Reader Writes and a Columnist Contemplates

By Philologos

Many of us are familiar with the Yiddish proverb, 'A man thinks and God laughs.' But understanding the story of how that phrase came into being requires some knowledge of history and Latin.Read More

Forward Looking Back

Paper Lauds Jewish National Home

By Forverts

In an editorial, the liberal British newspaper The Manchester Guardian writes: “The creation of a Jewish national home must be seen through as demands England’s honor and duty as the ruling mandate power. It would be necessary even if the Jews weren’t being hounded out of Central and Eastern Europe….Read More

Theater

Almost the Whole 'Megile'

By Curt Schleier

'The Megile of Itzik Manger' at the National Yiddish Theatre features an exceptional cast. But the production wasn't up to the Folksbiene’s normally high standards.Read More

Forward Looking Back

American Nazis Arrested

By Forverts

Five members of the American Nazi party must appear in court at a hearing on conspiracy and assault charges stemming from a disturbance on a Sunday night outside an Israel Independence celebration.Read More

On Language

Grappling With Yiddish Words That Punch Above Their Weight

By Philologos

A reader identified as “JA” wants to know: “Does the English word ‘slug,’ as in to slug someone, come from Yiddish shlogn, to hit? They certainly sound very similar.”Read More

On Language

Why Jews Didn't Always Seem To Have a Word for Sarcasm

By Philologos

Is it possible that neither Yiddish nor Hebrew had words for 'cynical' or 'sarcastic'? Maybe, but we needn't make assumptions about cultures by the words they seem to lack.Read More

Music

How Don Byron Brought Klezmer Music And Mickey Katz Back To Life

By Jake Marmer

Don Byron's tribute to Borscht Belt musician and comedian Mickey Katz brought him plenty of attention 20 years ago. Now, the clarinetist looks back on his role in the klezmer music revival.Read More

Periodicals

Where To Read New Yiddish Literature

By Ezra Glinter

There are plenty of writers out there producing new work in Yiddish. A representative sample can be found in the latest issue of Afn Shvel, a Yiddish magazine whose latest issue is dedicated to new Yiddish writing.Read More

Children's Literature

Alice in Yiddishland

By Forward Staff

Translating classic children’s books into Yiddish is becoming a trend. First there was “The Hobbit,” which was recently translated by retired computer programmer Barry Goldstein. Now there’s “Alice in Wonderland,” which has been rendered into Yiddish by Israeli children’s author Adina Bar-El.Read More

Obituary

Agudah Editor Joseph Friedenson Dies at 90

By Forward Staff

Joseph Friedenson, the founder and long-time editor of the Agudath Israel organ Dos Yiddishe Vort, passed away February 23 at his home in Manhattan.Read More

Literature

A Family Like No Other

By Ezra Glinter

Moyshe Kulbak made a conscious decision to live in the Soviet Union. A translation of his masterful Yiddish novel 'The Zelmenyaners' should bring his work to a new audience.Read More

Lexicography

New Yiddish Dictionary Explores Intracacies of Language

By Eitan Kensky

Solon Beinfeld and Harry Bochner's 'Comprehensive Yiddish-English Dictionary' is an essential tool, not least because of its extensive exploration of Yiddish idioms.Read More

Literature

Dispute Settled Over Yiddish Literary Trove

By Ezra Glinter

The dispute over the papers of the late Yiddish writer Chaim Grade has been settled in favor of the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research and the National Library of Israel. The two organizations have also gained control over copyright to Grade’s published work.Read More

Profile

Forward Says Good-Bye to Mister Katz

By Paul Berger

Just one member of the Forward's staff is always called 'mister.' Not publisher Samuel Norich, nor board chairman Jacob Morowitz, but copy editor Louis Katz.Read More

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