Neglected Treasures
Although there were some books published in Yiddish as far back as the 16th century, the real flowering of Yiddish literature began in the 1880's, due in great part, to the popular writings of the great Jewish author, Shalom Aleichem, creator of the character Tevye the Milkman of Fiddler on the Roof fame.
Tens of thousands of books were written in Yiddish on every conceivable topic from science to philosophy to biography and history. Not to be forgotten are the endless books of songs, poems, novels and short stories.
By the 1950's the audience for books written in Yiddish had either been exterminated in the Holocaust, or assimilated.
Of this great flowering of literature and learning, over 90% of the works have never been translated.
The translations you see here are the first time these works have ever appeared in English. Translations by Dan Setzer
The Collected Works of Y.Y. Zevin
- Chaim the Customer Peddler
- Joe the Waiter
- Beryl the Butcher Boy
Miami Beach
by Herman Eager
A series of poems. The poet's impressions of Miami Beach in 1937.
Poverty and Hardship
by Z. Libin
Stories inspired by life in the Lower Eastside Tenements
Who is Guilty? by Sarah B. Smith
Actual trials from the 1910's. Each a courtroom drama in miniature.
The Woman in Chains
by Sarah B. Smith
A woman's struggle to break free of the chains of marriage and society.