Rachel Rojanski Boeken

Yiddish in Israel challenges the belief that Israeli authorities suppressed or banned Yiddish for ideological reasons, offering a new perspective on the relationship between Yiddish and Hebrew cultures. Author Rachel Rojanski uncovers the compelling story of Yiddish, the predominant Jewish language before the Holocaust, in the context of Zionist Israel. From the establishment of the State to the present, Rojanski reveals that while promoting Hebrew was a priority for Israeli leadership, there was no clear policy regarding Yiddish. The language's fluctuating status was influenced by social and political changes, public perception, identity politics, and various interests. Utilizing a diverse array of archival materials, newspapers, and Yiddish literature, Rojanski examines the evolution of the Israeli Yiddish scene, including the history of Yiddish press, theater, early literature, and high culture. With empathy, she navigates the tensions between Yiddish writers and early Israeli leaders, many of whom were Eastern European Jews torn between their affection for Yiddish and their commitment to Hebrew. Rojanski also highlights the resurgence of interest in Yiddish among Israeli-born children of Holocaust survivors in the 21st century, as they reconnect with their parents' language.