Join the Museum and the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene for a simkhe (celebration) in honor of Purim hosted by Matthew “Motl” Didner. The simkhe, which will become available on demand at 7 PM Eastern Time, will feature a lively reading of the Meglies Ester (Book of Esther) in Yiddish—as translated by the great poet Yehoash—followed by a festive musical performance by Litvakus. The reading will include English subtitles so all can follow along. Wear a costume at home!
The program will also include a presentation of historic artifacts from the Museum’s collection illustrating Purim and its role in 20th century European Jewish communities.
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.
A $10 suggested donation enables us to present programs like this one. We thank you for your support.
Image: “Purim,” reproduction of Arthur Szyk illustration from “Holiday Series”, 878.92. Gift of Benjamin and Miriam Rudolph.
Public programming at the Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust is made possible, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council; the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature; a Humanities New York CARES Grant with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the federal CARES Act; and other generous donors.
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