Episode 54: Re: "Yiddish Women Writers"

We’re back earlier than expected with a special episode. Last week, YIVO streamed a lecture as part of the Uriel Weinreich Yiddish Summer Program on the topic “Yiddish Women Writers.” (See and hear the lecture here). The lecturer, Professor Avraham Noversthern, wanted to be controversial… and, well, he succeeded in that mission!

In this episode, Jessica Kirzane, Faith Jones, and Ayelet Brinn delve into what made Novershtern’s arguments so controversial, and how his claims run counter to the scholarship of a number of female academics. We also talk about the intersections between power dynamics, gender, age, and language ability in the Yiddish World.

Perhaps most importantly, we also used this opportunity to offer and promote a variety of resources for Vaybertaytshniks who want to learn more about Yiddish women writers. See below!

Key Anthologies:
Found Treasures: Stories by Yiddish Women Writers
The Exile Book of Yiddish Women Writers
Yidishe dikhterins

Key Scholarship:
A Question of Tradition: Women Poets in Yiddish, 1586-1987
A Marriage Made in Heaven: The Sexual Politics of Hebrew and Yiddish
Gender and Text in Modern Hebrew and Yiddish Literature
Women Writers of Yiddish Literature: Critical Essays 
Queer Expectations: A Genealogy of Jewish Women's Poetry: 
Women, Men and Books: Issues of Gender in Yiddish Discourse 
How to Suppress Women's Writing
Pakn Treger "A Collection of Newly Translated Yiddish Works by Women Writers"

Women Writers in Translation
In Other Words: Yiddish Women in Translation Month
Women in Translation Month: Yiddish
Translating and Teaching Yiddish Prose by Women

Songs: “Blue Jeans” by Ladytron, “Girls Like Us” by The Julie Ruin, and “Speech Bubbles” by WHY?