Weekly Bite of Yiddishkayt: Ida Maze, “Den Mother” of Yiddish Montreal

This short documentary opens a window into the life and legacy of Yiddish poet Ida Maze, a poet and activist who cultivated a community of Yiddish writers in Montreal. The film interweaves an interview with her son, Irving Massey, a literary scholar who has written about and translated his mother’s poetry, with archival audio recordings from an event held in honor of Maze at the Jewish Public Library of Montreal in 1956. Together, Irving’s poignant memories of his mother and the warm words of praise from Ida Maze’s colleagues offer a compelling perspective on her life, poetry, and legacy.

Weekly Bite of Yiddishkayt: Peysekh (Passover) Seders at the Home of Yiddish Writer Solomon Simon

Miriam Forman and David Simon, children of Yiddish writer Solomon Simon, remember all the humorous particulars of their Peysekh (Passover) seder growing up.

Weekly Bite of Yiddishkayt: Leonard Nimoy’s Stint Working With Yiddish Theatre Director and Actor Maurice Schwartz

We are mourning the loss of Leonard “Leyb” Nimoy, z”l. Here he discusses his role in a Yiddish theater production with the great Maurice Schwartz, long before the Vulcan role on Star Trek that made Nimoy world famous.

Weekly Bite of Yiddishkayt: “With That Gift Comes Responsibility”: Reflections on the Importance of Yiddish

Aron Gonshor, drawing on his experience as an actor in the Montreal-based Dora Wasserman Yiddish Theatre, reflects on the Yiddish legacy and its transmission to the next generation and speaks about the importance of furthering the legacy in any way that one can.

Weekly Bite of Yiddishkayt: Chased By A Headless Chicken- Lyber Katz Remembers Visiting Family in The Shtetl As a Boy

We mourn the loss this week of Lyber Katz, progressive activist and son of Yiddish writer Moishe Katz. Here he recalls a visit to the family’s shtetl in Tolochin, Belarus and a ‘memorable’ encounter with a chicken.