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Sholem Aleichem
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“Laughing is healthy, doctors tell us to laugh”

May 13, 2005 marked the 90th anniversary of the death of Sholem Aleichem, the popular Jewish writer, we present this project, which consists of an overview of the life and part of the vast opus of this great author. As a humorist, Aleichem is considered a classic of Yiddish literature. He was a very acute observer of Jewish life. His work reflects a true love of his fellow men, dignifying them and transforming their sorrow and grief into optimism and faith.

Biography of Sholem Aleichem

The goal of this introductory activity is to become acquainted with the personality and the work of Sholem Aleichem, the relationship between his works and the historical and social reality that they reflect, their relevance and the values that all impacted his life and work.

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Kasrilevke

This activity uses visual and literary resources based on the stories “Inside Kasrilevke” and “From the Fair” by Sholem Aleichem that touch on the theme of daily life in the imaginary ghetto created by the author.

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We recommend that you preserve the sequence of the activities; this will allow you to become better acquainted with the greatness of this writer. However, it is left to the coordinator’s discretion whether to implement the project as a whole or to select certain parts.
1. Biography of Sholem Aleichem
2. Kasrilevke
3. Who are the inhabitants of Kasrilevke, and what are they like?
4. The Penknife
5. Sholem Aleichem - His Life in Images
6. Tevye the Milkman
7. Menachem Mendl
8. Motl
9. The Legacy of Sholem Aleichem

Who are the inhabitants of Kasrilevke, and what are they like?

This activity is a series of games based on the characters found in the imaginary ghetto of Kasrilevke created by Sholem Aleichem.

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The Penknife

This activity introduces the story “The Penknife” by Sholem Aleichem and is followed by a participative theatrical interpretation of a scene based on the story.

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Sholem Aleichem - His Life in Images

An exploration of the writer’s life through images, the activity culminates in the creation of an exhibit.

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Tevye the Milkman

The stories, monologues, and tales of Sholem Aleichem have been, and still are being, made into great shows. One of them is “Fiddler on the Roof,” based on the plot of Tevye the Milkman. This activity explores Tevye’s story.

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Menachem Mendl

This activity approaches the work “Menachem Mendl” (The Adventures of Menahem-Mendl), by Sholem Aleichem, on the basis of reading the letters exchanged by Menachem Mendl and Sheyne Sheyndl (his wife). This teaching proposal adapts passages from the work in a radio-theater structure for presentation by the participants.

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