But then you also have the stories of people like Irving Berlin, the composer of “White Christmas”, who in his early career as Israel Isodor Baline wrote and published Yiddish songs. Why did he change? Perhaps his memory that “any Jew who mistakenly ventured into Irish territory on All Saints Day was, if caught, dragged to the East Side docks, then tossed into the East River.”
This book is a treasure; it is a gift. Karlen’s thesis that Yiddish is the Jews’ mother tongue and is what has helped us to survive over many generations and many killing times is compelling. Reading this book felt like going home as hearing Yiddish feels like home. Despite all attempts to quash it Yiddish is still here, as vital and strong as ever. Jews have survived, Yiddish has survived, and Yiddishkeit has survived. This is our story.
Article comments
1 - Brian Barker
I am sure will know already, but Esperanto-speakers were persecuted by both Stalin, as well as Hitler. Hitler, in Mein Kampf, stated that "Esperanto is the language of the Jews, which they will use, to dominate the World"
Hitler did not kill Esperanto.
Following a short period of 121 years Esperanto is now placed within the top 100 languages, out of 6,000 worldwide, according to the CIA factbook. It is the 17th most used by Wikipedia, and already in use by Facebook and Skype.
It is often deliberately named "artificial" which is not true, but I would agree with the description "linux of languages".
As the subject of a new global language is now gaining more attention, can I suggest the YouTube video by Professor Piron of Switzerland?
2 - Lynda Lippin
Thanks Brian! It is a great thing that these languages are still with us. Here's to Esperanto & Yiddish :).