Singer Family Exhibit

From July ’06 Spotlight: Chicago YIVO’s 2006 summer schedule is filled with concerts, lectures, and scholarly programs for Yiddish lovers. Participating libraries include Evanston Public Library, Northbrook Public Library, Skokie Public Library, and Wilmette Public Library, as well as Indian Trails Public Library in Wheeling and Sulzer Regional Library on Chicago’s northside.

Two local favorites appear again on this year’s calendar: Professor Jerry Mallow of Loyola University Chicago will read from his new book “‘Our Pal, God’ and Other Presumptions: Jewish Humor,” in Northbrook on August 8 and in Skokie on August 10; Rabbi Barry Schechter from Congregation Kol Emeth will present “Again with Yiddish and Laughter” in Evanston on July 12.

All programs are open to the public and begin at 12:15 P.M. Admission is free and no reservations are required, but there’s often a large crowd so it’s best to arrive early.

This year, Chicago YIVO has also arranged to bring an exhibit of photos and memorabilia from the YIVO archives in Manhattan. “The Family Singer” contrasts the careers of Nobel Prize-winning author Isaac Bashevis Singer and his two siblings Israel Joshua Singer (best-known for his epic novel The Brothers Ashkenazi) and Esther Singer Kreitman (best-known for her autobiographical novel Deborah). “The Family Singer” exhibit, previously mounted in New York and Milan, will be on display from July 11 to July 21 at the Northbrook Public Library, and from July 24 to August 4 at the Skokie Public Library. Dr. Carl Rheins, YIVO’s Executive Director, will be on hand for the kick-off at Northbrook Public Library on Monday evening July 10, offering his personal reflections on “YIVO at 80.”

For details, visit the Chicago YIVO website.