Journey to Yiddish Land 1999
Distributed by Filmakers Library, 124 East 40th St., New York, NY 1001; 212-808-4980
Produced by A Picture Pan Production, Rea Karen and Gernot Steinweg
Directed by Gernot Steinweg
VHS, color, 29 min.
High School - Adult
Jewish Studies, Multicultural Studies, Religious Studies
Date Entered: 11/09/2018
Reviewed by Debra Mandel, Head, Media Center, Northeastern University, Boston, MaProduced in West Germany, Journey to Yiddish Land is an engaging and entertaining overview of the study and appreciation of Yiddish language and culture. Subtitled in English when spoken in German, Hebrew, or Yiddish, this well-scripted and edited program begins in Germany and travels to Israel, introducing us to various vibrant, talented and articulate scholars, theatre groups, musicians, and writers committed to keeping Yiddish expression alive. It is almost uncanny to witness the deep appreciation of Yiddish revival in German clubs and universities. There is no direct discussion of the cultural background of Germany's new Yiddish admirers except one very likable Jewish boy, Daniel, who is shown learning the language with his German friends and later attending the Yiddish Theatre in Tel Aviv with his grandparents.
As appropriate context for the story of Yiddish, Journey to Yiddish Land provides a good summary of Jewish persecution and Diaspora throughout the ages. Once a language of eleven million people, Yiddish originated a thousand years ago in Rhineland, Germany, and spread throughout Eastern Europe, taking hold as the universal expression of Jewish shetl existence. Three major factors contributing to its demise were Russian Bolshevism, the Holocaust, and Israel's decision to make Hebrew the mother tongue. Lew Berinski, a Russian émigré living in Israel, pointedly reminds us that, forty years ago, young Zionist Israel banned and burned Yiddish books so Jews could forget about the Diaspora. It was not until 1996 that teaching of Yiddish in Israel was permitted. Throughout Israel's history, however, religious Hasidic Jews continued to speak Yiddish for fear of desecrating the sacred Hebrew language. Today there are perhaps only 80 to 85 Yiddish writers and journalists left.
As an introduction to Yiddish language and culture Journey to Yiddish Land has much to offer. It is recommended for university collections in Judaic and Yiddish studies, German history and culture, and sociology. Jewish senior citizen groups will appreciate this production.