Sholem Aleichem and then some

By Sheila Orysiek

SAN DIEGO–Jeremy Dauber, is a professor of Yiddish literature at Columbia University, Director of Columbia’s Institute for Israel and Jewish Studies, teaches in the American Studies program and has written several books within these special areas of study.

The Worlds of Sholem Aleichem: the Remarkable Life and Afterlife of the Man who Created Tevye by Jeremy Dauber, Random House, 2013, includes 56 pages of bibliographical notes plus 50 pages of information and analysis of Sholem Aleichem’s “afterlife” – the impact of his work after his death.

Having read a previous biography about this towering figure in Yiddish literature, I was very much looking forward to this new biography.  In many ways Sholem Aleichem’s life is as interesting, as quixotic, as deeply “us” as the characters he created.

The book, while it does present the events of Sholem Aleichem’s life, is much more about an analysis of his work – the product – analyzing his writing style, character traits of the fictional people in his stories, searching for undercurrents of intent, and comparing all this to other authors and their work.  Dauber tries to add a light touch by introducing each chapter with “Our Hero (Sholem Aleichem) confronts……..” – but the reader quickly realizes the light touch ends there.

It is obvious that Dauber is deeply immersed and hugely knowledgeable.  This kind of discussion, while of interest to scholars on the subject, may become more than the general reader is seeking.  In addition, in such a discussion there can be few absolutes, only conjectures and opinions.

For a reader who is as learned, indeed steeped, in the intricacies of Yiddish literature as Dauber is, this book  is a fine addition.  For others, who are interested in knowing the more personal life of Sholem Aleichem, I would recommend first reading the biography written by his daughter:  My Father, Sholem Aleichem written by Marie Waife-Goldberg, which I reviewed in the Dec. 14, 2014 issue of sdjewishworld.com

That would be a good preparation for Dauber’s more scholarly work.

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Orysiek is a freelance writer who specializes in arts and literature.  Comments may be made in the space provided below this article or sent to the author at sheila.orysiek@sdjewishworld.com