Join the Museum and the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene for a simkhe (celebration) in honor of Purim hosted by Matthew “Motl” Didner. Featuring a lively reading of the Meglies Ester (Book of Esther) in Yiddish—as translated by the great poet Yehoash—the program is followed by a festive musical performance by Litvakus. The reading includes English subtitles so all can follow along. Wear a costume at home! Also included is a presentation of historic artifacts from the Museum’s collection illustrating Purim and its role in 20th century European Jewish communities.
Watch the program below.
Megillah readers include Rivka Augenfeld (Yiddish activist, Montreal, Canada), Cantor Arianne Brown (Adas Israel Congregation, Washington, D.C.), Mendy Cahan (founder of Israel’s Yung Yiddish), Jeanette Friedman (NYTF Board of Directors alumna), Rafael Goldwasser (internationally renowned actor, Buenos Aires, Argentina), Anna Fishman Gonshor (Lecturer, McGill University, Montreal, Canada), Zalmen Mlotek (NYTF Artistic Director), Maia Morgenstern (Director, State Jewish Theater, Bucharest, Romania), Freidi Mrocki (singer and Yiddish teacher, Melbourne, Australia), and Shmuel Atzmon Wirtzer (founder of Israel’s Yiddishpiel Theater).
Litvakus was founded and is led by D. Zisl Slepovitch and includes Zoë Aqua, Taylor Bergren-Chrisman, Joshua Camp, and Sam Weisenberg.