Between Two Words: A Nationally Recognized Exhibit
Scott County Public Library has been selected as one of 40 libraries nationwide to participate in the Yiddish Book Center’s Public Libraries Program on the theme “Between Two Worlds: Exploring Jewish Culture and Religion through Yiddish Literature.” The books and programs are presented as part of the Yiddish Book Center’s Public Libraries Program, a partnership with the American Library Association, and made possible by the Lilly Endowment, Inc.
Being chosen to host this program is an honor, and it reflects our commitment to celebrating diverse voices, history, and cultural experiences in our community.
What is Yiddish literature?
According to jewishcurrents.org, “Modern Yiddish literature is a prime expression of Jewish humanism. Its creators were typically rebels against authority and proponents of universal ideals of freedom of thought, social justice and human dignity. Yiddish authors did not write for the educated elite, but for the average Jew.”
Exploring Yiddish Culture & the Power of Language
Yiddish culture is rich with history, humor, resilience, and creativity. Originating in Central and Eastern Europe, Yiddish is a Jewish language rooted in German, with influences from Hebrew, Aramaic, and Slavic languages. For centuries, it has been a vessel for storytelling, music, theater, and everyday life, connecting people from around the world.
Today, Yiddish continues to shape culture in familiar ways. Commonly used English words like chutzpah, mensch, kvetch, and schlep, come directly from Yiddish. Beyond language, Yiddish culture thrives through traditions such as klezmer music, folktales, humor, and food, all of which reflect themes of community, perseverance, and identity.
The Yiddish Titles in Discussion:
The Zelmenyaners by Moyshe Kulback, a comic novel that tells the story of a large family dragged from the countryside by Stalin’s government and made to enter the modern world whether they want to or not. They are literally between two worlds yet there is much about them that relates to us all.
Discussion May 6 @ 5:00 pm (A Novel Idea Book Discussion)
A Jewish Refugee in New York by Kadya Molodowsky, the perspective of one young lady as she navigates a new world in America, learning English, American customs and tries to find true love. It is a fascinating look at our own culture through the fresh eyes of a newcomer.
Discussion July 1 @ 5:00 pm (A Novel Idea Book Discussion)
Tevye the Dairyman by Sholem Aleichem, the final book of our Yiddish series. This is the original story of Tevye and his family, familiar through the musical Fiddler on the Roof but here you will learn the whole story.
Discussion November 4 @ 5:00 pm (A Novel Idea Book Discussion)
Programs:
Sunday, March 8th: Welcome to Yiddishland (Film Screening)
For over 1,000 years, Yiddish was the everyday language of Eastern European Jews and a foundation for rich Jewish literature and culture. Spoken alongside Hebrew, Aramaic, and European languages, it traveled across the globe through migration, shaping theatre, literature, cinema, education, and politics. The Holocaust and post-war diaspora deeply disrupted its transmission.
Welcome to Yiddishland explores this vibrant revival and reimagines Jewish culture and identity in surprising and inspiring ways.
This program kicks off our year-long celebration of Yiddish literature and culture along with book discussions of literature in translation and other programs on Jewish life. It is presented as part of the Yiddish Book Center’s Public Libraries Program, a partnership with the American Library Association, and made possible by the Lilly Endowment, Inc.
https://scottcounty.librarycalendar.com/index.php/event/welcome-yiddishland-film-screening-41855
Between Two Worlds: Jewish Food Culture with Tasing Menu
Welcome to a cultural experience like no other! Jacob Carr, of Yalla Y’all, brings his knowledge of Jewish foodways in this c ultural presentation complete with food demonstrations and a tasting menu. This program supports our year-long celebration of Yiddish literature and culture along with book discussions of literature in translation and other programs on Jewish life.
This event is presented as part of the Yiddish Book Center’s Public Libraries Program, a partnership with the American Library Association, and made possible by the Lilly Endowment, Inc.