UPWARDS of 100 people showed up for Portland’s first ever Sholem Aleichem celebration at Portland State University where, among others, they listened to Klezmer music by, in photo at right, Jack Falk, standing, and Courtney Von Drehle.

AARON PEARLMAN PHOTOS

Sholem Aleichem feted at PSU

Sholem Aleichem feted at PSU

By JEWISH REVIEW

article created on: 2009-05-14T00:00:00

More than 100 people gathered at Portland State University’s Food for Thought Café on Iyar 10 (May 4) to celebrate the Yarzheit of beloved Yiddish author Sholem Aleichem.

Portland klezmer musician and Yiddishist Jack Falk, widely known for his long association with the Yiddish Hour on KBOO FM 90.7, teamed up with Jewish Theatre Collaborative for the first of what is hoped will become an annual event recalling the author of stories that became the model for the popular musical “Fiddler on the Roof.”

The Oregon Jewish Museum provided images from its Sholem Aleichem collection, which was donated by Jerry and Helen Stern of Portland.

Sylvia Frankel of the Institute for Judaic Studies discussed plans for future Aleichem observances and Natan Meir of PSU’s Harold Schnitzer Family Program in Judaic Studies lit the yarzheit candle, recited Kaddish and toasted the author.

Willamette Radio Workshop director Sam A. Mowry, George Lederer and Mark Loring read roles from a variety of Aleichem stories.  The stories were interspersed with klezmer music by Falk and Courtney Von Drehle.

Sholem Aleichem is the pen name of Sholem Naumovich Rabinovich who was born in Russia in 1859. He fled the Russian pogroms late in his life, living variously in New York City and Geneva. He died in New York City in 1916.