DER YIDDISH-VINKL August 27, 2004
His patients know him as Dr. Barnett Zumoff, head of the department of endocrinology and metabolism at Beth Israel Hospital in New York City. Members of The Forward Association and the Arbeter Ring know him as a macher — an important person — in these and other institutions and movements in American Jewish life. Readers of this column should by now be acquainted with his translation of Yiddish poetry — a field in which he has distinguished himself by his masterpieces throughout decades. Indeed, we venture to suggest that he may be the most prolific translator of Yiddish poetry in the country.
Because of this achievement, readers have informally wondered out loud just which of Zumoff’s multitudinous translations is his own favorite, so we put the question to him. His answer is akin to what would be that of a father when asked which of his children he loved most: He picked three.
Because of space limitations, we cannot print all three simultaneously. We are starting with one now and will follow up with the other two in future issues.
Undzer Lid, fun Avrom Reisen
Un ale di, vos tsien mit
In ale lender undzer lid
In tener freylekhe tsi bange
In shures kurtse un lange
In nayer oder alter forem
Fun zun, fun regn, tsi fun shturem,
Tsi fun yontef, tsi fun vokh
Fun gringn lebn tsi fun yokh
Tsi nay — fun shtot, fun ayzn shtol
Tsi alt — fun shtetl, barg un tol
Tsi fun a kale sheyn un eydl,
Tsi fun an orem, shtiler meydl
Tsi fun a krig, tsi fun fargebn,
Fun alte, tsi fun nayem lebn —
Keyn untershid
Abi es zing, abi es klingt
In yedn land a yidish lid
Our Song, by Avrom Reisen
To all of those who take along
To every land our lovely song
In tones of joy or tones of sorrow
Both short and long, today, tomorrow
In new or ancient rhythmic form
Of sun or rain or winter storm
Of humdrum days or holidays
Of life’s green things or evil ways
Of new — the city’s iron rails
Or old — the village hills and dales.
Of lovely brides, with braids or curls
Or poor and quiet little girls
Of battle or forgiving ways
Of ancient or of modern days
No matter!
As long as songs ring out aloud
To make the Jews feel tall and proud
