Adi Mahalel: Yiddish Language & Literature Scholar; Avremi Zaks: Latest on Israel's Wars

Adi Mehalel (עדי מהלאל) talks about teaching Yiddish language and literature at Univ. of Maryland and Yivo Summer Program and discusses the writers I. L. Peretz, the subject of his book The Radical Isaac: I. L. Peretz and the Rise of Jewish Socialism, and Hanan Ayalti, whose book Boom and Chains: A Yiddish Novel Set in Israel/Palestine is forthcoming with Mehalel's translation and introduction. Interviewed in New York City via Zoom on July 2, 2025. Book links:




Boom and Chains: https://wsupress.wayne.edu/9780814351802/
The Radical Isaac: https://sunypress.edu/Books/T/The-Radical-Isaac






Avremi Zaks (אבֿרהמי זאַקס), host of the Kan Yiddish (כאן יידיש) radio show in Israel, discusses Israel's recent war with Iran and its ongoing war with Hamas. Interviewed in Jerusalem via Zoom on July 2, 2025.
Archive of Kan Yiddish: https://www.kan.org.il/content/kan/kan-reka/p-10820/






Music:




Yiddish songs about America, in honor of the July 4th Independence Day holiday:


Mandy Patinkin: American Tune
Aaron Lebedeff & Alexander Olshanetsky Orchestra:Vot ken you makh? Es iz Amerike!
Yiddish Philharmonic Chorus, directed by Binyumin Schaechter: Amerike di Prekhtike


Intro instrumental music: DEM HELFANDS TANTS from Jeff Warschauer: The Singing Waltz

Air Date: July 2, 2025