Event

An Evening of Sholem Aleichem

Yiddish literature's most famous humorist, Sholem Aleichem (1859-1916), asked in his will to be honored by having his stories read, in whatever languages, in commemoration of his yortsayt (anniversary of death). The Mid-Hudson Valley will be following his wishes on Tuesday, June 5th, when Jewish Currents magazine sponsors "An Evening of Sholem Aleichem, the Master of Yiddish Humor," at the Rosendale Theater. Readers include three fine actors, Ann Citron, Kathryn Grody, and Mikhail Horowitz, along with the magazine's editor, Lawrence Bush. Zoe B. Zak will provide musical interludes on the accordion, and Irwin Rosenthal will begin the evening at 7:15 PM with by reading of Sholem Aleichem's last will and testament.

Sholem Aleichem was the rock star of the Jewish world at the turn of the 20th century. He wrote with shrewd humor and deep compassion, and gained a readership that spanned all levels of society. His stories, plays and novels have been translated into scores of languages, and millions of copies of his work have been sold around the world. He is best-known in America for his novel, "Tevye the Milkman," on which the musical,"Fiddler on the Roof," is based.