Discover the lyricism of Jacob Isaac Segal, the charm and warmth within the children’s poetry of Ida Maze, the evocative modernism of Melech Ravitch, the honest grief of Rachel Korn, and the harrowing poetic expressions of Chava Rosenfarb. Through their works, Jewish history endures through time, and allows audiences to experience Yiddish poetry at its finest.
In our exhibition I Turn to the Poems of my Friends (title from Ravitch’s poem “Child”, 1917), we are showcasing the cultural significance of the Yiddish language by featuring a few of the prominent poets that worked in Montreal throughout the 20th century, many of which were important figures at the JPL during its lifetime. These poets used Yiddish as a vehicle to connect with their greater community, both in Montreal and around to globe, while highlighting context of Jewish life, culture, and history.
Thanks to our winter 2023 practicum student, Sara Cantler, who conducted research for this exhibition as part of her Master's Degree at McGill University's School of Information Studies.
