Leybl Botwinik on Israel at War for Yom Hazikaron & Yom Haatsmaut

HIGHLIGHTS

On the day of Israel Independence Day (Yom Haatsmaut) and one day after Israel's Memorial Day (Yom Hazikaron), we welcome back Leybl Botwinik to talk about life in Israel while at war against Iran. Leybl Botwinik is a writer of science fiction, poetry and songs (in both Yiddish and English) who grew up in Montreal's vibrant Yiddish cultural scene. He is the son of the late Dovid Botwinik, a composer of Yiddish songs, music educator, and Yiddish activist, and the brother of Sender Botwinik, a Yiddish educator, choral director, and music producer. We reached Leybl by phone at his home in Natanya on Wednesday, Apr. 22, 2026.






From our archives (2008): Hasia Segal ז״ל talks about a relatively unsung hero of Israel, and a Bostonian, the late Dewey Stone, who made significant contributions to the establishment of the State of Israel.






Music




Dovid Esheth: Yerusholayim Shtot fun Gold
Barry Sisters: Exodus
Intro instrumental music: DEM HELFANDS TANTS, an instrumental track from the CD Jeff Warschauer: The Singing Waltz

Air date: April 22, 2026