ater, will be on stage as the plays
begin and then will be heard
from behind the scenes.
JET artistic director Evelyn
Orbach is co-directing the pro-
duction with Israeli Rivi Yaron.
New York stage, screen and TV
actor Sol Frieder will narrate the
scenes that feature John Bieden-
bach, Adam Rochkind, Joseph
Haynes, Thomas Hoagland, Jaye
Cooper, Jan Waldron and Leah
Smith. ❑

The World of Sholom Ale-
ichem rims through June 1 at
the Maple-Drake Jewish
Community Center. Perfor-
mances are at 7:30 p.m.
Wednesdays, Thursdays and
Sundays; 8 p.m. Saturdays;
and 2 p.m. Sundays. There
will be a 7:30 p.m. perfor-
mance on May 4 and a 2 p.m.
performance on May 7. For in-
formation, call (810) 788-
2900.

MIED:113/1
MiElE=1

RE Ell2DM

1:31--3:30p .m.
Thursday May 8,1997

The Men Behind The Stories

holom Aleichem lived between 1859 and 1916, but his greatest
acclaim came after his death. He published articles, stories and
novels in Yiddish, Hebrew and Russian.
Born in the Ukraine as Sholom Rabinovitz, the author's first piece
was a short news item for a Hebrew weekly. A satire of Jewish com-
munity administrators for a Yiddish paper was the first work sub-
mitted -under the pseudonym of Sholom Aleichem, which means
"How do you do?" and was
intended to conceal his iden-
tity from relatives.
Although there were pe-
riods in his life when he pur-
sued business enterprises to
support his wife and chil-
dren, writing dominated his
interests, and his works can
be divided according to four
periods.
Between 1883 and 1890,
he tried various types of
writing including novels and
newspaper fiction. His he-
roes were from t.he fringes of
traditional society, and his
writing was melodramatic
with comic relief.
Between 1892 and 1898, Shalom Aleichem
Sholom Aleichem's writing
transcended types of people and moved on to archetypes. His Tevye
stories were the basis for the musical Fiddler on the Roof
The expansion of the Tevye series and the use of monologue, fan-
tastic tales, religious festival stories and children's tales were his
focus between 1899 and 1900.
From 1906 to 1916, he showcased novels capturing social themes
and the relationship between Jews and gentiles.
Much of the study of Sholorn Aleichem, who traveled extensive-
ly as a lecturer, is concentrated in Israel, where a Tel Aviv building
bearing his name houses his works.

S

Leib Pereti spent most of years in Warsaw, and he demon-
strat,ed social as well as literary interests during his lifetime,
I 1852-1915.

sanc

Although he started his professional life as a lawyer, the au-
thor and poet was hired to do a statistical survey that took him to
the small towns that provided material for his writing, which was
done in Polish, Yiddish and Hebrew.
Chasidic material and folk tales often became vehicles for his
own beliefs and views, which leaned toward enlightenment and so-
cialism. Between 1894 and 1896, he edited a periodical.
Peretz's short stories and plays often were dDminated with themes
shovving the life and faith of the poor and uneducated, and he cham-
pioned the cause of the oppressed.
A vigorous activist who had entered into a marriage arranged by
his parents and later divorced and remarried for love, he was im-
prisoned for a time as a socialist
Peretz felt it was important to network with other writers, and
his home in Warsaw became a center for those who expressed ideas
in Yiddish. He is considered one of the founders of modem Yiddish
literature.
His two major Yiddish dramas were At Night in the Old Market,
which explored Jewish-Polish history, and Chained in the Vestibule.
Perttz's dramatized short stories have been produced more wide-
ly than his plays. 0

You are invited to attend a special afternoon
program for Seniors filled with laughter and fun.

Rabbi Joshua Bennett

will greet and chat with our guests.

Vita Orapkiit

humorist, will entertain with
stories of growing up as a Jewish Immigrant.

Cookies, Co — ee, & Good Company!

Come alone or bring a friend. Open to the community, free of charge.

For more information call

TEMPLE ISRAEL (810)661-5700
5725 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48323

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