Category Archives: Memoir

A Visit to a Lithuanian Town

Posted on March 28, 2020 by Andrew

This was published in “The Keidaner” bulletin in three parts, from October to December, 1938. It was exerpted from the Warsaw Yiddish newspaper “Haynt” (“Today”), which carried the author’s account of travel through Lithuania. By Chaim Vital “When you are … Continue reading →

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A Return to My Birthplace, Keidan

Posted on March 25, 2020 by Andrew

This article, by the Soviet writer Hirsh Bloshtein (1895-1979), was published Oct 22, 1958, in Morgen Freiheit, a New York City-based Yiddish newspaper affiliated with the Communist Party USA. By H. Bloshtein A journey back to childhood and early youth … Continue reading →

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Three Memorable Characters

Posted on March 25, 2020 by Andrew

A regular feature of “The Keidaner,” the monthly bulletin of the Keidaner Assn. of New York, were short sketches of life back in the old hometown.  Here are three: The Coachman / The Feldsher / Yosse-Itse’s Payos The Coachman By … Continue reading →

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Shevuos in Keidan

Posted on March 24, 2020 by Andrew

by B. Cassel Published (in Yiddish) in “The Keidaner” monthly bulletin of the Keidaner Assn. of NY, June, 1941. After Pesach, Spring ruled our lives more and more each day. The days became warmer, lighter. From after cheder until bedtime … Continue reading →

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Exodus, Interrupted

Posted on March 23, 2020 by Andrew

The story of Keidan’s Sroelov and Smilg families By Tamar Dothan (Jerusalem) My grandparents, Chaya Smilg and Chaim Ber Sroelov, were married before World War I. Chaim Ber was operating the family’s wholesale beer business, as his father had passed … Continue reading →

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My Brother

Posted on March 11, 2020 by ACassel

By Hirsh Bloshtein First published in the anthology “Horizons” in Moscow in 1965. (“Composed after the author’s visit to the mass grave in Keidan.”) Reprinted in the 1977 Keidan Yizkor Book.  “In memory of my brother, Mane-Yosl, the wonderful storyteller.“  … Continue reading →

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Mama

Posted on March 11, 2020 by ACassel

By David Wolpe From the 1977 Keidan Yizkor Book.  Nineteen forty-one. May In Lithuania the sun is molten with red lead   Father says, with sadness in his face, that Mother, unfortunately, is lying in hospital   I waited not … Continue reading →

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My Youth in Keidan

Posted on March 11, 2020 by ACassel

By Hirsh Bloshtein From the 1977 Keidan Yizkor Book.  My youth in Keidan, come back to me, I just want to hear your voice once more It’s not yet time to say the final “stop” and cut the string for … Continue reading →

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Keidan, My Town

Posted on March 11, 2020 by ACassel

By Nathan Berger (Meyer Yanusevers) Originally published (in Yiddish) in the 1950 anniversary booklet of the Keidaner Society of Johannesburg. Reprinted in the 1977 Keidan Yizkor Book.  With simple words, in a few score lines I will set down, to … Continue reading →

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The Emigrants Look Back

Posted on March 11, 2020 by ACassel

From the 1930 zaml bukh of the Keidaner Assn. of New York. A Thirty-Year Anniversary Thirty years in a person’s life flies by unnoticed. Old age sneaks up on us stealthily. We run about, we work, we strive and fail … Continue reading →

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