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Ryan-Matura Library
Sacred Heart University
5151 Park Ave.
Fairfield, Connecticut 06825-1000
203-371-7700
September 29 at 7:30 p.m.
Mahogany Room, Academic Center
Featured Speaker: Dr. R. Barbara Gitenstein, President, College of New Jersey
"Traditions Askew: Yidishkayt and Kabbalah in I.B. Singer's Fiction."
Reception to follow at 9:00 p.m.
October 17 at 4:00 p.m.
Faculty Lounge, Academic Center
Featured Speaker: Dr. Michelle Loris, Professor of English, Sacred Heart University
"The Struggle for Love and the Search for God in the Fiction of I.B. Singer."
November 7 at 4:00 p.m.
Schine Auditorium
Book-Film Discussion: "Sexual Love, Exile and Redemption in I.B. Singer's Enemies: A Love Story."
Led by Professor Michelle Loris, Ph.D. Professor of English, Sacred Heart University and Professor James Castonguay, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Media Studies and Digital Culture, Sacred Heart University.
Shrewsbury Public Library
609 Main Street
Shrewsbury, Massachusetts 01545
508-842-0081
September 30 from 7:30-9:00 p.m.
"The Little Shoemakers": Local professional storyteller, Aili Paal Singer, will give a dramatic re-telling of the Isaac Bashevis Singer story, "The Little Shoemakers."
Aili Paal Singer was born in Latvia and emigrated to the US near the end of World War II. The ancestors of her husband, Josh Singer, hail from the same area where Isaac Bashevis Singer was born and may be related.
Tisch Library, Tufts University
35 Professor's Row
Medford, Massachusetts 02155
617-627-3345
July 1 through August 15
Tisch Library Lobby Exhibit: In celebration of Singer's centennial birthday, an examination of his life and works.
October 1 at 3:30 p.m.
Lecture titled "I.B. Singer's Place in Yiddish Literature" by University Professor Sol Gittleman
October 15 at 1:00 p.m.
Film Showing: Enemies: A Love Story
Lecture by Prof. Jonathan Wilson: "Singer's Fictional Representation of the Holocaust in Enemies: A Love Story"
October 29 at 3:30 p.m.
Dramatic Reading of "Gimpel the Fool" by Prof. Laurence Senelick
Keene Public Library
60 Winter Street
Keene, New Hampshire 03431
603-352-0157
November 30 at 7:00 p.m.
Isaac Bashevis Singer Centennial Book Discussion led by Peter Temes of Antioch College. Call the library to find out the title of the Singer story to be discussed.
December 16 at 7:00 p.m.
Isaac Bashevis Singer Story Performance
Judith Black, a professional storyteller based in Massachusetts, will bring some of Singer's best stories to life. Information about Judith Black can be found on her homepage at www.storiesalive.com.
Brick Branch of the Ocean County Library
301 Chambers Bridge Road
Brick, New Jersey 08723
732-477-4513
May 18, 2004 at 4 p.m.
"The Image of Isaac Bashevis Singer on Film." Clips from the films Isaac in America: A Journey with Isaac Bashevis Singer, The Cafeteria, and Enemies: A Love Story will be shown. Speaker: Jeffrey Shandler, Assistant Professor of Jewish Studies, Rutgers University.
May 7 at 2 p.m.
Book discussion on the short stories "Yentl the Yeshiva Boy" and "The Little Shoemakers." A showing of Yentl will be available before the discussion.
May 21 from 1:30-3 p.m.
Book discussion. Participants are invited to read a short story by Singer and discuss it with the group. The group will be looking for themes to pull the works together.
Princeton Public Library
65 Witherspoon Street
Princeton, New Jersey 08542
609-924-9529
October 7 from 7:30 — 9 p.m.
"Becoming an American Writer: The Life and Works of Isaac Bashevis Singer," a lecture by Esther Schor, professor of English at Princeton University and scholar in the Judaic Studies Program.
October 21 from 7:30 — 9 p.m.
Emily Mann, playwright, director, and artistic director of McCarter Theatre, will read from her play Meshugah, an adaptation of an Isaac Bashevis Singer story.
Somerset County/Bridgewater Library
1 Vogt Drive
Bridgewater, New Jersey 08844
(908) 526-4016
September 12: "Sunday at the Somerset County Library with Singer"
Activities will include a family theatrical production aimed at children (school age and up) and their parents, an adult theatrical production, music, and light refreshments.
1:30-2:15 p.m. - The Somerset County Library Players, a theatrical troupe of youngsters under the direction of Sue Barancik, the former head of Youth Services for the Somerset County Library, will enact three of Singer's stories for children: "The Mixed Up Feet and the Silly Bridegroom," "Shrewd Todie and Lyzer the Miser," and "Zlateh the Goat."
2:15-3:00 p.m. - Music of Eastern Europe, presented by strolling violinists. Light refreshments will be served by the library's teen volunteers.
3:00-4:00 - The American Hebrew Repertory Theatre of the Shimon and Sara Birnbaum Jewish Community Center, under the direction of playwright and actor Rita Ben-Or, will present vignettes of Singer's tales for adults as well as readings about the life of Isaac Bashevis Singer. The intended audience for this program is high school students and adults.
Teaneck Public Library
840 Teaneck Road
Teaneck, New Jersey 07666
201-837-4171
June 25 at 10:30 a.m.
Lecture by Kenneth Libo, Ph.D. entitled "Isaac Bashevis Singer and the Yiddishization of America." The public is also encouraged to view the library's exhibit on Singer, which includes a display of his books for borrowing, during the months of June and July.
Chappaqua School District Library
195 S. Greeley Avenue
Chappaqua, New York 10514
914-238-4779
November 4 at 7:30 p.m.
Lecture by Isaiah Sheffer, Artistic Director, Symphony Space
November 18 at 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Screening of the film Enemies, A Love Story with commentary by Mark Hasskarl, Chappaqua Library Director and Film Critic
November 23 at 7:30 p.m.
Enemies, A Love Story: Comparison of book and film by Christine Bobkoff, adjunct professor at Westchester Community College
Farman Free Library
PO Box 26
748 Park Street
Ellington, New York 14732
716-287-2945
July 12 at 7:00 p.m.
The Farman Free Library will present the works and discuss the contributions of Isaac Bashevis Singer. The program will center on Singer's life and stories followed by a book discussion.
Great Neck Library
159 Bayview Avenue
Great Neck, New York 11023
516-466-8055
July 28 at 7:30 p.m.
"Remembering the Shtetl: Isaac Bashevis and Beyond." Slide lecture presented by Dr. Jeffrey Shandler, Assistant Professor of Jewish Studies, Rutgers University.
Film Screenings:
August 11 — Yentl
August 25 — Enemies: A Love Story
September 1 — The Cafeteria
September 8 — Isaac in America: A Journey with Isaac Bashevis Singer
Greenburgh Public Library
300 Tarrytown Road
Elmsford, New York 10523
914-993-1600
June 12 at 2:30 p.m.
Isaiah Sheffer and Caraid O'Brien read from Sheffer's two-person play "Dreamers and Demons: The Three Worlds of Isaac Bashevis Singer."
Joan and Donald E. Axinn Library
123 Hofstra
Hempstead, New York 11549
516-463-5940
June 13 at 2:00 p.m.
"Dreamers and Demons: The Three Worlds of Isaac Bashevis Singer," a play by Isaiah Sheffer directed by Bob Spiotto followed with commentary by Isaiah Sheffer
June 14 beginning at 11:00 a.m.
Films screenings:
11:00 to noon — Isaac in America: A Journey with Isaac Bashevis Singer
Noon to 12:30 — A Conversation with Isaac Bashevis Singer
12:30 to 1:15 — Isaac Bashevis Singer: About a Hidden God
1:30 to 3:40 — Yentl
3:45 to 4:05 — Zlateh the Goat
4:10 to 5:20 — Aaron's Magic Village
5:30 to 6:30 — The Cafeteria
6:30 to 8:30 — Enemies, a Love Story
Lehman College Library
250 Bedford Park Blvd. West
Bronx, New York 10468
718-960-7776
Book Discussion Groups led by Professor Zelda Kahan Newman, assisted by Professor Rona Ostrow
Monday, October 4, 2004 — "Gimpel the Fool"
Monday October 18, 2004 — "Good Friday"
Monday October 25, 2004 — "Yentl the Yeshiva Boy"
Monday November 1, 2004 — Yentl (movie)
Monday, November 8, 2004 — Enemies: A Love Story
Monday, November 15, 2004 — Enemies: A Love Story (movie)
November 22, 2004
Lecture: Zelda Kahan Newman will lecture on Singer and Becoming an American Writer.
July — December 2004
Exhibit: Professor Janet Munch will mount an exhibit on Singer.
The New York Public Library
Van Nest Branch Library
2147 Barnes Avenue
Bronx, New York
(718) 829-5864
July 19 at 2:00 p.m.
Lecture: "The Art and Life of Isaac Bashevis Singer": a conversation with Morris Cupit.
Bronx resident Morris Cupit was born in Romania, studied at the Sorbonne and started a career in law before coming to the United States because of the worsening situation in Europe. Upon arrival in the United States, Mr. Cupit pursued a career as an accountant and lived a life similar to that of many of the characters portrayed in Singer's stories. Mr. Cupit and Isaac Singer met at a 72nd Street cafeteria and began a long acquaintance. Both had strong ties to the Yiddish literary intelligentsia. Mr. Cupit, now 100 years old, will share personal recollections of his friend the Nobel Laureate and discuss the impact of Singer's work.
The New York Public Library
Donnell Library Center
20 West 53rd Street
New York, New York
(212) 621-0618
July 26 at 1:00 p.m.
Book Discussion: Shadows on the Hudson by Isaac Bashevis Singer
The New York Public Library
Epiphany Branch Library
228 East 23rd Street
New York, New York
(212) 679-2645
August 31 at 3:00 p.m.
Book Discussion: The Slave by Isaac Bashevis Singer
The New York Public Library
Inwood Branch Library
4790 Broadway
New York, New York
(212) 942-2445
September 13 at 7:00 p.m.
Book Discussion: The Slave by Isaac Bashevis Singer
The New York Public Library
58th Street Branch Library
127 East 58th Street
New York, New York
(212) 759-7358
October 6 at 6:00 p.m.
Book Discussion: The Slave by Isaac Bashevis Singer
The New York Public Library
Bloomingdale Branch Library
150 West 100th Street
New York, New York
(212) 222-8030
October 19 at 6:00 p.m.
Lecture: The Jewish Daily Forward and Singer: A Literary History
Isaac Singer's relationship with the Jewish Daily Forward stands as one of the unique stories in literature. This talk will examine that relationship and its impact on his work and readers. Alana Newhouse, Arts and Culture Editor, The Forward.
The New York Public Library
Van Nest Branch Library
2147 Barnes Avenue
Bronx, New York
(718) 829-5864
October 28 at 1:00 p.m.
Book Discussion: The Slave by Isaac Bashevis Singer
The New York Public Library
St. Agnes Branch Library
444 Amsterdam Avenue
New York, New York
(212) 877-4380
December 27 at 6:00 p.m.
Book Discussion: The Slave by Isaac Bashevis Singer
Sachem Public Library
150 Holbrook Road
Holbrook, New York 11741
631-588-5024
July 14 at 7:00 p.m.
SHORT STORY QUARTET
Brad Silverman, who studied Isaac Singer for his Master's thesis, will lead a short story discussion of four of Singer's stories: "Gimpel the Fool," "A Day in Coney Island," "A Crown of Feathers," and "The Spinoza of Market Street." The stories to be covered will be available at the Welcome Desk. A 100th birthday celebration, complete with birthday cake and balloons, will follow the discussion.
July 21 at 7:00 p.m.
"I'm Right, You're Right, He's Right Too: Multiple Perspectives in Jewish Humor and Folklore"
This lecture discusses how Jewish people as outsiders have used stories, jokes and parables to juggle multiple realities. Presenter is Steve Zeitlin, director of the organization City Lore in New York City, and a participant in the New York Council for the Humanities' Speakers in the Humanities program.
July 27 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
A film showing and discussion of Enemies: A Love Story will be moderated by Jamie Edrich.
August 2 at 7:00 p.m.
Yiddish Storyteller
The culminating event of our Isaac Basevis Singer Celebration will feature Bat-Sheva Slavin, the director of My Jewish Discovery Place at the Suffolk YJCC. In costume, she will present an evening of Jewish storytelling for the enjoyment of children and adults.
Bucks County Free Library
150 South Pine Street
Doylestown, Pennsylvania 18901
610-861-1541
June 22 at 6:30 p.m.
Film screening: Enemies: A Love Story.
Weeks of June 20 and June 27
Art exhibit featuring the original drawings and paintings of Margot Zemach who illustrated many of Singer's children's books
July 7
Lecture by Dr. Kathryn Hellerstein, Ruth Meltzer senior lecturer in Yiddish and Jewish Studies at the University of Pennsylvania. She will speak on Singer's life as well as the book and film Enemies: A Love Story.
Gingrich Library, Albright College
13th and Exeter Sts.
Reading, Pennsylvania 19612
(610) 921-7517
March, 2005
A book discussion of Enemies: A Love Story, led by John Incledon, Holocaust Studies Program, Albright College and Rabbi Brian Michelson, Temple Oheb Sholom.
Film screening of Enemies: A Love Story, led by Dr. John Incledon and Rabbi Brian Michelson.
April, 2005
"The Holocaust in the Work of I. B. Singer," a lecture by John Incledon, Holocaust Studies Program, Albright College.
Haverford Township Free Library
1601 Darby Road
Havertown, PA 19083
610-446-3082
October 21, 2004 at 6:30 p.m.
"A Journey Through I.B. Singer's Worlds"
Professional actors from Theatre Ariel will perform dramatic readings of Singer's short stories "Tiebel and Her Demons" and "Wedding in Brownsville." Between these readings, scholar Emilie S. Passow will address Singer's life, work, and the influences on both. A slide show depicting images of Jewish weddings, Chagall paintings, and scenes from Poland and New York during the early 1900s will provide the atmosphere for the evening. Participants will be able to enjoy the show while eating vegetarian finger food (in keeping with Singer's strict vegetarian diet) and listening to klezmer music played by Ken Ulansey.
Reeves Library, Moravian College
1200 Main Street
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18018
October 21 at 8 p.m.
A slide lecture on the shtetl, a major focus of Jewish remembrance. Speaker: Dr. Jeffrey Shandler, Assistant Professor of Jewish Studies, Rutgers University. The talk will be preceded by a reception and dinner.
Yardley-Makefield Branch of Bucks County Free Library
1080 Edgewater Road
Yardley, Pennsylvania 19067
215-493-9020
September 13 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
"The Image of Isaac Bashevis Singer on Film," a lecture by Dr. Jeffrey Shandler, Assistant Professor of Jewish Studies, Rutgers University.
Clips from the films Isaac in America: A Journey with Isaac Bashevis Singer, The Cafeteria, and Enemies: A Love Story will be shown to emphasize the powerful role that Singer plays as an icon of Yiddish culture.
The Barrington Public Library
281 County Road
Barrington, Rhode Island 02806
401-247-1920
September 13 at 7:30 p.m.
Dramatic reading using selections from Singer's short stories and novels, to be performed by Barry Press's Living Literature Group
September 20 at 7:30 p.m.
Rabbi Rosenberg will lead a discussion of Singer's short stories "Gimpel the Fool" and "Short Friday."
September 27 at 7:30 p.m.
Lauri Burke will lead a discussion of Singer's short stories "The Little Shoemakers" and "The Letter Writer." Both programs will begin with biographical information about Singer and his experiences as a writer, both in the "Old World" of Europe and the "New World" of America.
St. Johnsbury Athenaeum
1171 Main Street
St. Johnsbury, Vermont 05819
(802) 748-8291
March 2, 2005 at 7:00 p.m.
Ilan Stavans will speak on Isaac Bashevis Singer as part of the "First Wednesdays" lecture series, a collaboration with the Vermont Humanities Council.