I would like to bring to the attention of the Jewish librarian community
the publication of the book Sholem Asch Reconsidered edited by Nanette
Stahl, Judaica Curator at the Yale University Library, and published by the
Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Yale.
Adored by readers around the world, the Yiddish novelist, essayist
and dramatist, Sholem Asch (1888-1957) found himself abandoned by his most
devoted supporters--the famed editor of the Jewish Daily Forward, Abraham
Cahan, among them-- when he turned to the origins of Christianity as themes
for three of his novels.
In the first half of the 20th century, Sholem Asch was famous as a
Yiddish author and dramatist and was well known in non-Jewish literary
circles as well. Born in Poland, he divided his time between Europe and
the United States. He wrote in Yiddish but thanks to the great popularity
of both his novels and plays, Asch was translated into English and other
languages from an early date on. At the height of his fame he was a
household name in the Yiddish-speaking world and was also well known on the
world literary stage. With the publication of his Christological novels
(The Nazarene, 1939; The Apostle, 1943; Mary, 1949) Asch's fortunes began
to falter. His Yiddish-reading public--primarily in the United
States--turned away from him and tragically he was never able to
re-establish his bond with them.
The breach between Asch and his Yiddish readers took place during
the painful post- World War II years. The raw emotions of that period have
somewhat eased in the meantime and a more dispassionate evaluation of his
work can now be undertaken. This volume provides just that. It is the
first modern discussion of Asch by some of the most distinguished Yiddish
literary critics of our time. Along with a discussion of the Christian
novels, the topics examined are the author's drama focusing primarily on
his God of Vengeance, his American fiction, and his novels that deal with
the European Jewish reality of radical change and dislocation at the
beginning of the 20th century. The book also includes an overview of
Asch's life by his great grandson, David Mazower. In addition to Mazower,
contributors include Dan Miron, Seth Wolitz, David Roskies, Joel Berkowitz,
Anita Norich and others.
Sholem Asch saw himself as a man of letters whose work belonged
both in the Jewish world and in modern Western literature. He refused to
be limited to either one or the other. His approach to religious faith
was equally ecumenical; he declined to view Judaism as us and Christianity
as the other. In his own day, the majority of the Jewish readership was
not ready for such inclusiveness, but attitudes have changed since then and
this book begins the process of re-examining Asch's work and thought.
The cost of the book is $30 plus $2 to cover shipping costs and can be
purchased from the Beinecke Library, by sending a Visa or Master Card
number with the expiration date or a check to:
Public Services
Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
PO Box 208240
New Haven, CT 06520-8420
Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author
and are not necessarily endorsed by the AJL
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