"Jacob Dinezon’s newly translated masterpiece belongs next to Sholem Aleichem’s works." —Jewish Daily Forward "With Dinezon’s Memories and Scenes, we happily encounter a master writer who deserves to be ranked with Sholom Aleichem and I. L. Peretz." " —Hadassah Magazine "The beloved uncle of modern Yiddish literature." —Foreword Reviews "Highly recommended." —Association of Jewish Libraries Reviews Memories and Scenes: Shtetl, Childhood, Writers is the first English translation of eleven autobiographical short stories by the successful and beloved 19th century Eastern European Yiddish writer, Jacob Dinezon (1851?-1919). Friend and mentor to almost every major Jewish literary figure of his day, including Sholem Abramovitsh (Mendele Moykher Sforim), I. L. Peretz, Sholem Aleichem, S. An-ski, and Abraham Goldfaden, Dinezon played a central role in the development of Yiddish as a modern literary language. A successful novelist in his own right, Jacob Dinezon, like Charles Dickens, championed the poor, downtrodden, and oppressed, especially children. He used his pen to expose the hypocrisy and injustice in shtetl society, and his stories reveal a deep love and commitment to uplifting and enlightening the common Jewish people. In this collection of eleven autobiographical short stories, Dinezon recalls his childhood years in the shtetl, the unusual and memorable characters he encountered along the way, and the events that led to his passion for becoming a writer. Contained within these stories is a treasure trove of Yiddish history, culture, and values. Now, for the first time in English, Yiddish translator Tina Lunson places Jacob Dinezon’s stories beside the works of his contemporaries. If, as scholars suggest, Sholem Abramovitsh, I. L. Peretz, and Sholem Aleichem, are the grandfather, father, and grandson of modern Yiddish literature, then surely Jacob Dinezon is the beloved uncle, writing stories filled with Jewish humor, compassion, and love.

Memories and Scenes: Shtetl, Childhood, Writers

Literature & Fiction

Dinezon, Jacob

Literary

Jewish Storyteller Press

BETWEEN HEAVEN AND EARTH is an anthology of four one act plays based on the Yiddish short stories of the late nineteenth century Jewish author, I. L. Peretz.  BONTSHE SHVAYG (Bontshe the Silent). Throughout his hard and painful life on earth, Bontshe Shvayg is silent; his existence insignificant. But when he dies, the Heavenly Shofar trumpets his arrival in Heaven. Offered anything his heart desires for his quiet and saintly behavior on earth, Bontshe Shvayg’s humble request dismays his Defending Angel and stuns the Heavenly Court of Paradise. (4 males; 4 females)  WHAT IS A SOUL? Three very different teachers—a stern, by-the-book Talmud teacher, a mystical Khasidic rebbe, and a modern, “freethinking” Yiddish writing tutor—compete for the heart, mind, and soul of a young Jewish boy. (4 males; 3 females)  EMPTY HANDED. When the White Angel arrives to escort the saintly Rivke-Beyle’s soul to Heaven, she is surprised to find the Dark Angel from “the other place” already waiting beside the dying woman’s bed. Rivke-Beyle’s choice of which angel to accompany will surprise and challenge the thinking of your audience. (1 male; 2 females)  IF NOT STILL HIGHER  A Litvak, a skeptical Jew from Lithuania, is determined to find out where the Rebbe of Nemirov really goes when he suddenly disappears each year between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. What the Litvak discovers about tzedakah—good deeds—changes his life forever. (3 males; 2 females)  Adapted for the stage by Scott Hilton Davis. Appropriate for middle school, high school, and adult audiences. Published by Jewish Storyteller Press.

Between Heaven and Earth

Peretz, I. L.

Davis, Scott Hilton

Dramas & Plays

YOSELE, Jacob Dinezon’s short novel published in 1899, exposed in stark detail the outmoded and cruel teaching methods prevelent in the traditional cheders (Jewish elementary schools) of the late 1800s. Writing in Yiddish to reach the broadest Jewish audience, Dinezon described with all the pathos of Charles Dickens, the sad, poverty-stricken life of a bright and gentle school boy whose violent treatment at the hands of his teacher, parents, and society is shocking and painfully heartrending. The outrage that resulted from the story’s initial publication produced an urgent call for reform and set the stage for the beginning of a secular school movement that transformed Jewish elementary education. This first-time English translation by Jane Peppler presents a rare and vivid picture of Jewish life in Eastern Europe at the turn of the twentieth century. An excellent resource for classes in Jewish Studies, Yiddish literature, and Eastern European History.

Yosele: A Story from Jewish Life

World Literature

SOULS ARE FLYING! A Celebration of Jewish Stories is a collection of twelve short stories based on the writings of beloved Jewish authors Sholem Aleichem, Sholem Abramovtish, I. L. Peretz, and Jacob Dinezon. Collected and retold by storyteller Scott Hilton Davis, these new adaptations celebrate Jewish heritage, culture, and values. Featured in this revised edition are characters such as the Old Book Peddler who struggles to remain true to his own path; the poor Melamud (a Hebrew school teacher of young children) who imagines the world he would create if he were the wealthy banker Rothschild; the orphan boy who learns how to be a mentsh (an honorable person); and the Litvak, a skeptic from Lithuania, who discovers the heavenly power of a simple good deed. Although written more than a hundred years ago, these retold tales with their quintessential Jewish values hold important insights for people of all faiths who struggle with today's issues of social injustice, poverty, violence, war, and how to live a life of integrity in a world that seems constantly in turmoil. Intended to be read aloud, these Jewish stories will make you laugh, maybe bring a tear to your eye, and fill your heart with the joy of Yiddishkayt and Jewish culture. Fun reading for Jewish book clubs and a perfect gift for bar or bat mitzvah, confirmation, or Chanukah!

Souls Are Flying!: A Celebration of Jewish Stories

Celebrate the holiday of Chanukah with eight original short stories by Jewish storyteller Scott Hilton Davis. Enjoy a fun-filled journey to Oykvetchnik, the tiny shtetl town in Eastern Europe where people complain a lot (except during Chanukah when they seem to be a little more charitable).
Meet Chaim the Chanukiyah, the nine-branched menorah, who feels out of place in his new home, Myzeleh the Mouse who helps a poor orphan boy find his true calling, Pinchas ben Mordechai who survives twenty-five years in the Tsar’s army, Reb Shimon the Shammes who has misplaced the synagogue’s big menorah, Channele the Rabbi’s daughter who finally meets her besherter (her soul mate), and the kind-hearted Dovidl who fears the town’s beggar may be the rightful owner of his family’s new pawnshop menorah.
One for each night of the holiday, these sweet and heartwarming Chanukah stories will fill your heart with the light of Jewish history, culture, and values. As the candles burn low, spend a few minutes remembering the lives of our ancestors and how they joyfully celebrated their Jewish traditions.
Chanukah Tales from Oykvetchnik is a storybook to be read each year as the chanukiyah comes off the shelf, dreidels start spinning, and the smells of freshly fried latkes waft through the house

Chanukah Tales from Oykvetchnik

United States

Winner of a 2018 Silver Ben Franklin Award from the Independent Book Publishers Association and a 2018 Bronze IPPY Medal from the Independent Publisher Awards! Celebrate the holiday of Chanukah with eight original short stories by Jewish storyteller Scott Hilton Davis. Enjoy a fun-filled journey to Oykvetchnik, the tiny shtetl town in Eastern Europe where people complain a lot. Meet Chaim the Chanukiyah, the nine-branched menorah, who feels out of place in his new home, Myzeleh the Mouse who helps a poor orphan boy find his true calling, Pinchas ben Mordechai who survives twenty-five years in the Tsar's army, Reb Shimon the Shammes who has lost the synagogue's big menorah, Channele the Rabbi's daughter who finally meets her besherter (her soul mate), and the kind-hearted Dovidl who fears the town's beggar may be the rightful owner of his family's new pawnshop menorah. One for each night of the holiday, these sweet and heartwarming Chanukah stories will fill your heart with the light of Jewish history, culture, and values. As the candles burn low, spend a few minutes remembering the lives of our ancestors and how they joyfully celebrated their Jewish traditions. Chanukah Tales from Oykvetchnik is a storybook to be read each year as the chanukiyah comes off the shelf, dreidels start spinning, and the smells of freshly fried latkes waft through the house.

Chanukah Tales From Oykvetchnik

Jacob Dinezon's novella Falik and His House, originally published in Yiddish in 1904 and translated into English for the first time by Mindy Liberman, tells the story of an elderly tailor who has fallen on hard times. His house, which he talks to like a brother, was once young and sturdy. Now in old age, it leans precariously, and the roof is leaking so badly it threatens to drown Falik, his wife, and their belligerent tenants. To make matters worse, the richest man in town has purchased the property next door and is building a grand mansion that is blocking Falik's light. His greedy new neighbor has now turned his eye on Falik's house and has offered a significant sum to take it off his hands. When Falik writes to his sons in America for financial help, they refuse and encourage him to take the rich man's offer and come live with them in their new home. What will Falik do? Sell and sail away to America or stay and save his beloved house by binding himself to the town's ruthless loan shark? Jacob Dinezon's Falik and His House offers a masterful tale of one man's stubborn determination to preserve his Jewish way of life in the Russian Empire at the turn of the twentieth century. A poignant, humorous, and life-affirming story of loyalty, love, and faith.

Falik and His House

Genre Fiction

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