TORONTO — Yiddish Canada in the 20th Century, a new initiative to help groups organize a variety of programs to highlight the contribution of Yiddish language and culture to the fabric of Canadian and Jewish life, is in the planning stages.
Ethel Cooper, co-ordinator of the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto’s committee for Yiddish
Representatives from Toronto synagogues, schools, libraries and landsmanshaften came together recently to begin planning activities for Yiddish Canada in the 20th Century, which will take place throughout the city from September into 2009.
The project is being spearheaded by UJA Federation of Greater Toronto’s committee for Yiddish and centre for Jewish knowledge and heritage, both of which will partner with community organizations to organize the activities for the initiative.
Susan Jackson, who heads the centre for Jewish knowledge and heritage, welcomed the participants.
“The remarkable thing about Yiddish,” Jackson said, “is how it has enriched Ashkenazi culture well beyond the spoken language. Literature, music and ethnic identity have been deepened through Yiddish culture, a culture which did not end with the immigration of eastern Europe’s Jews to Canada and other shores.
“A vibrant Yiddish culture was planted within our borders, beginning in the early 1900s and ending with an influx of Holocaust survivors in the late ’40s and ’50s. The multicultural fabric of Canada has been profoundly impacted by Yiddish, which is still being taught, sung and read today.”
Committee for Yiddish chair Shelly Friedman outlined the concept behind programming for Yiddish Canada in the 20th Century and spoke about how the community organizations would be assisted by the committee for Yiddish in implementing the projects.
“The project was very well received,” said committee for Yiddish co-ordinator Ethel Cooper. “There was enthusiasm for the project and its theme and a call for communication and co-operation amongst the attendees.”
She added that other organizations that wish to participate in the program will also be offered help.
“When we partner with community groups,” Cooper said, “projects do not have to be in Yiddish, as we hope to interest not only Yiddish-speaking individuals but people who are attached to it culturally.”
One of the major goals of this project, she said, is to keep the importance of Yiddish alive.
The representatives at the inaugural meeting received information on possible program ideas and suggested presenters. Topics proposed included the Yiddish press, radio, humour, theatre, literature, music and Yiddish in the haredi community.
Friedman told The CJN that the project was created by the committee for Yiddish to celebrate the significance of the Yiddish language and its subsequent enrichment of the tapestry of Canadian life during the past century.
“We should be proud and acknowledge the contributions Jews made during the past century,” Friedman said. “These programs will highlight these contributions.”
For more information on Yiddish Canada in the 20th century or to participate in the project, call Ethel Cooper, 416 635 2883, ext. 389, or e-mail [email protected].
