The Accidental Rise of the Modern Yiddish Theater

As part of our weekend focusing on the American Jewish Theater experience, join us for Shabbat Dinner and to hear from Ansche Chesed member, and Senior Scholar at the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research, Alyssa Quint for a talk entitled “The Accidental Rise of the Modern Yiddish Theater”.

As the history books tell us, the modern Yiddish theater was founded in Iasi  Romania in 1876 by Avrom Goldfaden who drew on an energetic tradition of shtetl-bound folk performance.

Indeed, this narrative explains some of this cultural milestone. What other historical factors gave rise to the modern Yiddish theater? Who was Avrom Goldfaden?

And why was a historical accident crucial to the Yiddish theater’s rise?

Alyssa Quint, Senior Scholar at the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research and author of The Rise of the Modern Yiddish Theater (Indiana 2019), just named a finalist for the National Jewish Book Award.

Kabbalat Shabbat Services begin at 5:30pm, followed by dinner and the program.