The Museum of the Yiddish Theatre holds
a number of collections that are related in some way to the
history of the Yiddish theatre. The collection consists of
items such as photographs, theatre programs, sheet music,
audio recordings and other documents of some importance and
historical significance.
Some who were once active in some way
in the Yiddish theatre, or whose family members were once
involved in the Yiddish theatre, have graciously donated
their material to the museum, which it now holds in its
possession. Also, the founder and creator of this museum,
Dr. Steven Lasky, is the official archivist for the Yiddish
Theatrical Alliance, once the mutual aid society for those
involved in the Yiddish theatre, although the Museum only
holds digital copies of most of what is contained in the
yet-to-be-archived Yiddish Theatrical Alliance archives.
The Museum also holds many reel-to-reel
tapes (and also some cassette tapes) that contains parts of,
and complete recordings of, Yiddish radio programs, mostly
made by the editor of the "bible" of Yiddish theatre, the
"Lexicon of the Yiddish Theatre." The Museum makes
available, from time to time, some of the Zylbercweig radio
programs, were at the time broadcast from his own studio in
the back of their home in Los Angeles.
The Museum of the Yiddish Theatre also
holds images for use that were kindly shared by other
museums, libraries and other institutions, and uses them
from time to time with permission.
The Museum usually readily accepts such
material donations, as it tries to gain resources to help
promote and educate those who are interested in the history
of the Yiddish theatre. This Museum of the Yiddish Theatre,
it should be noted, is a division of the much larger "Museum
of Family History," which is dedicated to the preservation
of our family and culture for the present and future
generations.
Donations of any kind are welcome.
Please contact Dr. Lasky at
steve@museumoffamilyhistory.com, if you wish to make
such a donation.
More
About the Collections
The
Museum of the Yiddish
Theatre, which originated in
New York, is the first
virtual (Internet-only)
museum created, which is
devoted to Yiddish theatre
and the world in which it
existed. The concept of such
an online museum simmered
for years within the realm
of the similarly constructed
virtual Museum of Family
History, which is dedicated
to honoring and preserving
the history of the Jewish
family and Jewish culture
and history as a whole.
The
strength of the museum lies
in its photographic
collection and personal
tributes, especially by the
progeny of those who once
took an active part in
Yiddish theatre. The
collection of photographs
and other material, e.g.
documents, publications and
the like, come from a
variety of sources, such as
from the Yiddish Theatrical
Alliance, the Museum of the
City of New York, and the
New York Public Library. The
photographs come from such
well-known studios, such as
those with the name of
Rappoport, Ivan Busatt, and
Alexander Archer. When taken
as a whole, they tell the
story of Yiddish theatre,
mostly in United States, as
it existed since before the
start of the twentieth
century.
The
Museum also holds a good
number of audio and video
clips, newspaper articles,
play programs and theatre
reviews, and its varied
documents all make their
contribution to the telling
of the evolution and
progression of the Yiddish
theatre.
When
taken and studied as a
whole, one can surely get a
good understanding of what
has transpired in the
"business" since the first
Yiddish theatre production
was staged in the United
States in the late 1800s.
Collections Highlights
If the
heart of the Museum of the
Yiddish Theatre lies in
heart and mind of the
Museum's Director, the heart
of the collection itself
undeniably lies within the
archives of the famed
Yiddish Theatrical Alliance,
the archivist of which, is
also the Director of the
Museum of the Yiddish
Theatre, Dr. Steven Lasky.
The Yiddish Theatrical
Alliance, once hundreds of
members strong, although now
a shell of its former self,
still houses its unmanned
office in the belly of the
Hebrew Actors' Union
building, which stands at 31
E. 7th Street on the Isle of
Manhattan. It gloriously and
faithfully and with
steadfastness holds onto its
historical material with
great determination, hoping
to have it used to best
honor and preserve the
memory of the Yiddish
theatre and those associated
with it for many years to
come.
Here is
a breakdown of what is
contained within the Yiddish
Theatrical Alliance Archival
Collection:
Photographic Collection
Individual and Group
Publicity
Scenes from Stage
Productions
Yiddish Films Publicity
Benefits and Testimonials
Other Collections
Yiddish
Sheet Music
Publications
Play Programs
Correspondences
Audio Recordings
Manuscripts
Theatre Memorabilia
Administrative Files
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