A short story by Sholem Aleichem, read by radio actor George Lederer. Originally broadcast on the Yiddish Hour on June 6, 2010.

Portland's Rabbi Aryeh Hirshfield was a Rabbi, a musician, and a tireless activist for global peace and interfaith dialogue. 

Sunday December 27th 2009 was the first yahrtzeit, or anniversary of his death.  On this special Yiddish Hour we explore the roots of Reb Aryeh's music, and learn of his journey from musician playing Dylan and Spanish protest songs in Ghirardelli Square, to Rabbi and composer of liturgical music.

This program focuses on the musical origins of Reb Aryeh's music, as well as the activist roots behind his choices of sacred text.  There are recordings of music both old and new by Reb Aryeh and friends, and interviews with Rabbis Yitzhak Husbands-Hankin and Moshe Shur, both of whom are themselves composers of liturgical music used today in many Oregon synagogues. 

It's funny now that the show is finished, less than half of the music featured is from Rabbi Aryeh, but I hope that this program helps people already familiar with Aryeh's music to get a fuller picture of his musical and activist influences.

Rabbi Aryeh's music including the CD Batee L'Ganee can be purchased through this website http://www.rebaryeh.com and you can find links there to much more information about his life and his work as a rabbi and as an activist for justice and peace.  The new digitally remastered two CD set Wings of Peace & As The Deer Yearns is now also available!

Rabbi Shur's CD A Shur Thing can be found at www.jewishjukebox.com  ... and you can contact him through the Hillel program at Queens College in New York City.

Rabbi Yitzhak gave me a copy of his CD Treasure Each Day when I visited Temple Beth Israel in Eugene to record the interview.  I don't know if they sell the CD there, but you can call TBI at (541) 485-7218 and find out.

Five years ago the Oregon Holocaust Memorial in Portland's Washington Park was dedicated, to leave a legacy of hope for all citizens in our community and to teach what hatred and bigotry can do when an entire government endorses those ideologies.  A fifth anniversary event from 11:00 am to 3:30 pm Sunday August 30th 2009 at the memorial will feature teachers, political dignitaries, clergy, students, survivors, and musical interludes.

Lisa Kaner from Friends of the Oregon Holocaust Memorial and Miriam Greenstein from the Oregon Holocaust Resource Center speak with Yiddish Hour host Ed Kraus about the message of the memorial ... acceptance of diversity, and to protect the civil rights of each other. 

April 19, 20, and 21 2009 are the dates for Portland's Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Day) Community Commemoration.

This event is sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Portland, The Archdiocese of Portland, Ecumenical Ministries of Portland, University of Portland, and others.  For this year, instead of religious services the Holocaust experience will be explored through art, music, and film.  In particular the paintings, letters, and poems of survivor Alice Lok Cahana will be presented and discussed.  Alice Cahana is the mother of Rabbi Z. Michael Cahana of Congregation Beth Israel.

Cantor Ida Rae Cahana (daughter in law of Alice) was interviewed by host Ed Kraus on the Portland Yiddish Hour.  The upcoming performance Through My Mother's Eyes was discussed, along with the meaning for the Cahana family of making Alice's experiences public art and performance. 

The picture shown is No Names, part of the art that will be on display through May 24th at Portland Center Stage and at the Oregon Jewish Museum.