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On Tuesday, February 23, at 1 PM ET, National Yiddish Theatre
Folksbiene Associate Artistic Director Motl Didner will
present a Purim-themed episode of 15 Minute Yiddish featuring
an original Purim Shpil, the earliest form of Yiddish theater, performed
by 15 Minute Yiddish fan-favorite characters
Helen, Murray, Professor Thompson, Sophia, Scott, and Wayne. This episode
also marks the Season 2 finale. Didner’s weekly lessons have gained a
cult following, teaching adults the basics of Yiddish conversation—no
experience necessary.
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All events are presented Free!
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On Wednesday, February 24, at 7 PM ET, National Yiddish Theatre
Folksbiene will introduce a new quarterly series, Hava
Tequila Cabaret. The inaugural episode is
hosted by Adam B. Shapiro, one of the stars of the
award-winning Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish and the host and
director of Folksbiene’s Chanukah Spectacular, which
premiered in December 2020 and drew over 35,000 viewers. This fun-filled
event brings together a cast of young and rising talent—most who’ve
starred in National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene productions like Fiddler
on the Roof in Yiddish and The Sorceress, including, Dani
Apple, Stephanie Lynne Mason, Daniella Rabbani, Lauren Jeanne Thomas,
Bobby Underwood, and Mikhl Yashinsky.
Michael Winograd will join Daniella
Rabbani to perform a duet.
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Available
for a limited time starting February 24 at 7 PM ET through Sunday,
February 28 at 7 PM ET.
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Hava
Tequila Cabaret is a benefit for the National Yiddish Theatre
Folksbiene through permission from Theatre Authority, Inc.
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All events are presented Free!
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Image: “Purim,”
reproduction of Arthur Szyk illustration from “Holiday Series”, 878.92. Gift
of Benjamin and Miriam Rudolph.
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Closing the festival on Thursday, February 25, at 7 PM
ET,
National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene and the Museum
of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust
host a simkhe (celebration) in honor of Purim, led by Motl Didner. The
simkhe will feature a lively reading of the Megiles
Ester (Book of Ester) in Yiddish—as translated by the
great poet Yehoash, featuring a cast of international readers, Rivka
Augenfeld (Yiddish activist, Montreal, Canada), Cantor
Arianne Brown (Adas Israel Congregation, Washington DC), Mendy
Cahan (Founder of Israel’s Yung Yiddish), Jeanette
Friedman (NYTF Board of Directors alumna), Rafael
Goldwasser (Internationally renowned actor, Buenos Aires,
Argentina), Anna Fishman Gonshor (Lecturer, McGill
University, Montreal, Canada), Zalmen Mlotek (NYTF
Artistic Director), Maia Morgenstern
(Director, State Jewish Theater, Bucharest, Romania), Freydi
Mrocki (Singer and Yiddish teacher, Melbourne,
Australia), and Shmuel Atzmon Wirtzer (Founder
of Israel’s Yiddishpiel Theater).
Following the reading, the
Brooklyn-based klezmer ensemble Litvakus will take the
stage for a festive musical performance. The group was founded and is led
by D. Zisl Slepovitch and includes Zoë
Aqua, Taylor Bergren-Chrisman, Joshua Camp, and Sam
Weisenberg. The program also will feature a presentation
by Ari Goldstein, Senior Programs Producer at the
Museum of Jewish Heritage - A Living Memorial to the Holocaust, of
historic artifacts from the Museum’s collection illustrating Purim and
its role in 20th-century European Jewish communities.
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All events are presented Free!
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The Megillah in Yiddish is co-presented by
The Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the
Holocaust |  |
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