Last night, I watched the insightful documentary Sholem Aleichem: Laughing in the Darkness at Cinema du Parc. This film delves into the life and legacy of Sholem Aleichem, a writer whose works vividly portray Jewish life in Eastern Europe during a time of significant change.

The Language of Heritage

Sholem Aleichem (1859-1916) chose to write in Yiddish, a language shaped by Hebrew, German, and Slavic influences. For centuries, Yiddish was a cornerstone of Jewish identity. However, as Jews increasingly adopted the languages of their new countries, Yiddish began to decline. Aleichem’s choice to write in Yiddish was a crucial effort to preserve this important aspect of Jewish culture.

Life in the Shtetl

Aleichem’s stories brought to life the world of the Shtetle—a small Jewish town—through characters like Tevye the Milkman and Motl the Cantor’s son. These characters inspired the renowned musical Fiddler on the Roof. His stories not only captured the joys and struggles of shtetl life but also played a role in keeping Yiddish culture vibrant, even amidst the challenges of the Holocaust.

Historical Context

The film also sheds light on the difficult realities faced by Jews in Poland and Russia, including the anti-Jewish riots that began in 1881. Before this period, Jews and others lived together relatively peacefully. However, the assassination of the Czar in 1881 triggered a wave of violence, culminating in the pogroms of 1905-06. Sholem Aleichem lived through these troubling times, including the 1905 pogrom in Kyiv, during which he and his family were forced to hide in a hotel for three days. This personal ordeal profoundly affected him and is a poignant reminder of the era’s turbulence.

The documentary links these historical events to the later horrors of the Holocaust and highlights how the insufficient response to violence against Jewish communities foreshadowed further tragedies. The Nazi regime observed the world’s indifference to these early acts of brutality and adopted similar tactics, leading to the orchestrated destruction of Jews during the Holocaust. This pattern of state-sponsored violence echoes through history, with examples seen in places like Syria, the Soviet Union, North Korea, and Iran.

Preserving Yiddish Culture

Watching Sholem Aleichem: Laughing in the Darkness deepened my appreciation for preserving Yiddish and its cultural heritage. This theme resonates with my project, Yiddish: A Tale of Survival, which explores the state of Yiddish three generations after the Holocaust. My documentary highlights the crucial need to keep this language and its rich cultural traditions alive.

Reflecting on the Past

After the movie ended, I thought about the enduring influence of Yiddish culture and the meaningful lessons we can learn from history about standing up to injustice. Laughing in the Darkness honours Sholem Aleichem’s legacy and reminds us to always remember the past and work towards a brighter future.