PURELY COMMENTARY 'Yiddish Folksongs': Treasures Are Being Preserved PHILIP SLOMOVITZ Editor Emeritus R espect for the publishing ini- tiative and gratitude for the the appearance of the four- volume Anthology of Yiddish Folksongs. The deep appreciation is for the Hebrew University in Jerusalem for having undertaken the sponsorship of this im- mense work. We welcome it, with gratitude to Emma Schaver for the determination with which she pursued the task of having the four volumes Emma Schaver published, and to Sinai Leachter who is co-chairman of the committee that made the preservation of the 380 Yid- dish folksongs a reality. Abba Kovner, who as leader of the resistance in the Vilna Ghetto also became its historian, adds impressive- ly to these volumes with his perceptive comments, his poetic enthusiasm em- bodied in the introductory chapters, and the guidance he gave to their publication. The songs that were heard in the homes of the Yiddish-speaking com- munities for perhaps two or more cen- turies, especially the music of the shtetl, now become the treasures of the surviving generations. They are presented in these large-format volumes trilingually, in the Yiddish original, in the Hebrew text and in the English translations. For a fuller appreciation of the great values incorporated in the four volumes of Anthology of Yiddish Folksongs, perhaps "Die Shvue" ("The Oath") will serve the desired purpose. In its tril- ingual presentation, it is preserved in the Hebrew University-published works. Several periods of musical dedica- tion are represented in the collected works. They are echoes of centuries of devotion as well as suffering. They lead up to the most recent responses to the attempt to destroy and to terrify surviv- ing Jews. The memories of the most re- cent era of horrors are in the fourth volume which contains the songs of the Holocaust. This is an especially moving portion of the anthology because its chief spon- sor, Detroiter Emma Schaver, sang them in survivors' camps. There are several subdivisions in these anthological collections. They in- clude songs of a vanished era — love songs and cradle songs. With the publication of the assembl- ed folksongs and their preservation for future generations and mankind, Em- ma Schaver has added another land- mark to her many achievements. As opera and folksinger she enriched the musical arts. She has to her credit the publishing of important Jewish books by Wayne State University Press with the aid of the Morris and Emma Schaver publishing Fund. Now she has added to her publishing devotions the issuance of the Yiddish folksongs by the Hebrew University. It is one of numerous accomplishments she has en- couraged, aided by the Hebrew University. 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D 1 h1t7~1 )3 11711 71 P)7 rnir shve - rn, mir shve - rn, m it shve - rn. vynnx 115 nvvorntu 11K ny-Inz — trnnunix px 1.31ITYY 117. 11T 172$11 1.7 17K X 1,11 PK '1 11$6 11 ,7177.3xm ,117731ST1Y AM, 11 PX 1315m 115 116 t1amx55 'T trly 11x 1m.75 TIN ran5ty x ,ran5tv x ,U 113 11X :117153M ,11311 1131X U3111 1117 11X 17)371 — 11313 vp1t,n15 n1-Tv 115 lix 315m 116 raniz; K ,ra15w x !runitu -rn ,runitri ,111711V/ 1 173 However distant love and peace may be, sooner or later they will surely come, for it is no dream! I hear the song of love and joy, the mighty sound of every note proclaims the rising of the sun. The night is long, but the world is full of hope and cheer and yearning. I hear a voice calling in the air for a blissful, joyous dawning. How Parents Learn When Sharing Children's Books B ooks for young readers attain high merit when they are infor- mative, and planned to provide factual data. Responsibly prepared, they gain value as texts to be shared with parents who read and study with children and enrich knowledgeability. In that fashion a volume for young readers about Israel and her people earns a high rating. In one of the newest works for young readers issued by the Jewish Publication Society, A Kid's Catalog of Israel, the author, Chaya M. Burstein, illustrates the record of achievements, life in the land, the dai- ly activities and the related humor with commendable skill. Author Burstein is anthologist and artist. Her new JPS volume is filled with illustrations which add delight to 2 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1988 the historic facts and biographical sket- bearded Jews in black coats ches which dominate her historic collec- and hats who study Bible and tive sense. pray all the time A young tourist making his way • Israel is a land of history, through Israel will find A Kid's Catalog filled with ruins, holy places, of Israel is an indispensable guide. The and archaeologists. author's few lines of introduction are All those strange ideas are valuably descriptive. She points out: true. Israel is all of those things — and much more. People have some strange ideas about Israel, ideas like Ibpography is treated illuminative- these: ly in this fact-filled volume. Here is how • Israel is a land of deserts, Burstein shares the assembled data camel caravans, and Arab with the reader: sheiks riding white horses. • Israel is 6,000 miles from • Israel is settled by brave New York City and 9,000 miles pioneers who drain swamps all from Los Angeles. day and sing Hebrew songs and • It sits in the middle of the dance the hora (round dance) all Middle East, in southwest Asia. night. • It has an area of about • Israel is the home of pious, 8,000 square miles, as big as the state of Massachusetts. • It contains one big river — Continued on Page 40 THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS (US PS 275-520) is published every Friday with additional supplements the fourth week of March, the fourth week of August and the second week of November at 20300 Civic Center Drive, Southfield, Michigan. Second class postage paid at Southfield, Michigan and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send changes to: DETROIT JEWISH NEWS, 20300 Civic Center Drive, Suite 240, Southfield, Michigan 48076 $26 per year $33 per year out of state 60' single copy Vol. XCIV No. 4 September 23, 1988