The Myth & Reality Of Prewar Jewish Life In Europe

YIVO, the premiere cultural organization of Yiddish culture in New York, continues its yearlong series of programs in Forest Hills, with a talk by Prof. David Fishman at the Central Queens YM & YWHA.  On Monday, November 11, Prof. Fishman will speak at 1:30 p.m. on the “Myth and Reality of the Jewish Shtetl.  Prof. David Fishman will discuss the cultural life and realities of Jewish life in the small towns of Eastern Europe before World War II.  David Fishman is Professor of Modern Jewish History at The Jewish Theological Seminary and he serves as director of Project Judaica, a Jewish-studies program in Moscow.  The Central Queens Y is located at 67-09 108 Street in Forest Hills.  Prof. Fishman's talk is open to the public, with a $7 donation suggested.

In 1912 nearly half of the Jews in Eastern European lived in small towns. While Jewish life in these small towns is often remembered with nostalgia today, contemporary Yiddish playwright, S. An-ski called these shtetlekh, "the Jewish dark continent". Prof. Fishman's talk will look more closely at the reality of the life and culture of shtetl Jews, including political movements such as Zionism and the Jewish labor movement, the Bund, their literature and theater.  He will also discuss Jewish relations with Russians, Poles, and other Christians, as well as the cultural life of the shtetl.  The talk will feature some slides and recorded music.

This program is one in an ongoing series of programs co-sponsored by YIVO’S Yidishe kultur-serye at the Central Queens YM & YWHA. 

More information about this event is available at 718 268-5011, ext. 151, or online at www.cqy.org or at  (718) 268-5011 ext. 151, or pkurtz@cqy.org.