This year’s theme, “Between Two Worlds: Exploring Jewish Culture and Religion through Yiddish Literature,” will invite readers to consider questions of language, identity, belonging and community through literary works in translation. The library will receive a curated collection of Yiddish literature, reading guides, virtual programs and related educational materials. It also will receive up to $2,000 to support guest speakers and programming, and may host a small traveling exhibit on the history of the Yiddish language and its place in Jewish life, religion and culture.
A book discussion group is planned around four titles: *Motl, the Cantor’s Son* by Sholem Aleichem; *A House with Seven Windows: Short Stories* by Kadya Molodowsky; *Emil and Karl* by Yankev Glatshteyn; and *True Biz* by Sara Nović. The latter explores Deaf culture, communication and identity, extending the program’s “between two worlds” theme beyond Yiddish literature itself.
“The Library looks forward to partnering with community members and organizations to introduce Yiddish literature to Summit and the wider community,” said Rebecca Cohan, reference librarian. “The program will offer participants an opportunity to discover a unique culture and literary tradition while exploring a universal theme: the experience of living between two worlds.”
Founded in 1980 as a grassroots effort to rescue Yiddish books from disposal, the Yiddish Book Center has since collected more than 1.5 million volumes worldwide. Its public-library initiative is run with the American Library Association and funded through a grant from the Lilly Endowment. Summit Library will announce local program dates as plans are finalized.