Beyle Schaechter-Gottesman facts for kids
Beyle (also known as Bella or "Beyltse") Schaechter-Gottesman (born August 7, 1920 – died November 28, 2013) was a talented Yiddish poet and songwriter. She wrote many poems and songs, especially for children, and helped keep Yiddish culture alive.
Contents
Her Life Story
Early Years and Family
Beyle was born in Vienna, Austria, in 1920. Her family spoke Yiddish, a language used by many Jewish people from Eastern Europe. When she was young, her family moved to Czernowitz, Ukraine. This city was part of Romania at the time.
Beyle grew up speaking many languages. She knew Yiddish, German, Romanian, and Ukrainian. At school, she also learned French and Latin. Her family loved to sing, and her mother, Lifshe Schaechter, knew many folk songs.
Art and War Years
Beyle went to Vienna to study art. But she had to return to Czernowitz in 1938. This was because Germany invaded Austria. In 1941, she married Jonas Gottesman, a doctor. During World War II, they lived in the Czernowitz ghetto. Her mother and other family members were with them.
Life in New York
After the war, Beyle lived in Vienna for several years. Her husband worked as a chief doctor in camps for people who had lost their homes. Their daughter, Taube, was born there in 1950. In 1951, the family moved to New York City, in the United States. They had two more children, Hyam and Itzik.
In New York, the Gottesmans joined a special Yiddish community. This community was in the Bronx. Several Yiddish-speaking families bought houses close to each other. They helped make the Sholem Aleichem Yiddish School strong again. Beyle became a very important part of this community. She wrote materials, plays, and songs for the school. She also edited two magazines: ”קינדער־זשורנאַל„ (Kinderzhurnal) for children and ”ענגע־בענגע„ (Enge-benge) for children's writings.
Her Creative Works
Books and Music
Beyle Schaechter-Gottesman's first book of poetry was called ”מיר פֿאָרן„ (Mir Forn, meaning "We’re Travelling"). It came out in 1963. She wrote eight books in total. These included poetry for adults, children's books, and songbooks.
She also recorded three CDs of her own songs. One recording featured folk songs. Her work covered many different topics. She wrote about Eastern Europe and modern New York. Her songs ranged from fun children's tunes to serious reflections. One of her most famous songs is "Harbstlid" (Autumn Song).
Performances and Research
Many artists have performed Beyle Schaechter-Gottesman's songs. These include Theodore Bikel, Adrienne Cooper, and Theresa Tova.
She was also a valuable source for people studying Yiddish folk and art music. She was recorded and interviewed many times. She took part in cultural events like KlezKamp and KlezKanada. A film about her, "Beyle Schaechter-Gottesman: Song of Autumn," was released in 2007. A new collection of her poems, דער צוויט פֿון טעג (Der tsvit fun teg, "The Blossom of Days"), came out in 2007.
Beyle Schaechter-Gottesman passed away on November 28, 2013, at her home in the Bronx. She was 93 years old.
Awards and Special Honors
In 1998, Beyle Schaechter-Gottesman was honored by City Lore in New York. She was added to their People's Hall of Fame.
In 2005, she received a National Heritage Fellowship. This is the highest honor in the folk and traditional arts in the United States. It is given by the National Endowment for the Arts. Beyle was the first Yiddish poet or musician to receive this special award.
Her Talented Family
The entire Schaechter-Gottesman family has done a lot for Yiddish culture.
- Her mother, Lifshe Schaechter-Widman, wrote a memoir called "Durkhgelebt a Velt" (A Full Life) in 1973. She also helped folk song researchers.
- Her brother, Mordkhe Schaechter, was a leading expert in Yiddish language.
- Her son, Itzik Gottesman, is a scholar who studies Yiddish folklore.
- Her niece, Gitl Schaechter-Viswanath, is also a Yiddish poet.
- Her nephew, Binyumen Schaechter, writes music and directs shows in Yiddish and English.
- Her niece, Rukhl Schaechter, is the editor of the Yiddish newspaper The Forward.
- Her granddaughter, Esther Gottesman, teaches Yiddish to children. She also sings on Beyle Schaechter-Gottesman's last music release, "Fli mayn flishlang" (Fly, Fly My Kite).
