My writing brought about certain reverberations. . .and to my very good fortune, about four years ago, there began a movement for Yiddish on one of the local radio stations in Dallas. The initiator of this program was Barry Somerstein, a personable and energetic young man. I appeared on this program quite often, reading from my own poems, as well as monologues by Sholem Aleichem.
Thereafter the Jewish radio program was presented every Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., which brought great pleasure to the Jews of Dallas and its environs. This program continued until September, 1977, when it was announced that the radio station K.C.H.U. was forced to discontinue it because of the increased costs in producing this program, even though Barry Somerstein and his dear wife, Marcia, and all the interested participants were volunteers who had a great sense of Jewish responsibility. This program on K.C.H.U. was on the air for a year and four months.
* * * * I almost omitted two important incidents that are a part of my life story. It was in 1974 that the program "Covenant" appeared on the TV Station WFAA, Channel 8, for the first time, arranged by the Dallas Jewish Welfare Federation. The program director selected four longtime Jewish residents of Dallas, two men and two women, to participate. The older of the two men was Leo Davis and the younger - Roger Kallenberg. The older of the two women chosen was Ray Andres (myself), and Andrea Weinstein was the younger woman. The subject for discussion was "Anti-Semitism in Dallas" - a vital program of questions and answers.
The questions were formulated beforehand and we, the four participants chosen, gave the answers, which were all thought out and were prepared on our own initiative. All four participants who took part in the discussion were photographed and tape-recorded, each in their own respective homes. Huge commercial cameras accompanied by even larger lighting apparatus were brought in for this purpose. Initially l became agitated when the entire noisy paraphernalia was brought into my home. However, the presence of my daughter-in-law, Ruth, calmed me. Her encouraging comment on my prepared answers steadied me and I gave my answers composedly and enthusiastically. The response was most gratifying and in the ensuing years, the program was repeated several times in the "Covenant" productions.
* * * * The second incident that needs relating occurred in October, 1979. This was a broadcast on the TV Station KERA, Channel 13, under the auspices of the Dallas Jewish Welfare Federation, with the participation of survivors of the Holocaust. The program also included an overwhelmingly impressive address by Simon Wiesenthal, the well-known hunter of Nazis, in person.
Another address was by Mike Jacobs, a Holocaust survivor, who has been actively involved in important activities of the survivors, who do extremely vital work in relation to the indescribable havoc and horror of the 20th century. Also participating were an Israeli Dance Ensemble, which expressed, through the medium of dance, the spirit of great hope for the tormented and tortured Jewish people. The program also enacted a scene depicting Jewish children and their teacher, celebrating the traditional Jewish holidays.
After this, a recording of a speech by Golda Meir was played, which had been delivered in Dallas, Texas not too long prior to her death. It was an historic oration, certain to be recorded in the archives of the times.
Several extremely impressive poems dealing with the Holocaust were read by local Dallas talents in English. I was invited to read my poem "Nit Mer, Nit Mer" (Nevermore, nevermore) from my book "For Whom Do I Sing My Songs," dedicated to the Jewish youth . . . which I read in Yiddish. For the first time in the city of Dallas, Yiddish was heard on Station KERA, Channel 13. Harvey Weiner, the Chairman of the program, read the same poem in the English translation by Yudel Cohen. He read the poem with great feeling and understanding.
I believe it is worthwhile to relate that my youngest grandchild, Rachel, immortalized her grandmother who was on this program of two-and-a-half hours duration, through the use of an ingenious photographic and recording apparatus which she operated like a skilled craftsman. When I come to visit my children at their home, very often they play this program back to me on their television screen, much to my great satisfaction and enjoyment.
It is with a great sense of history that I can report that to the present day the program "Covenant" continues to be presented on television on Channel 8 WFAA once every month . . . the last Sunday morning of the month . . . prepared with talent and great dignity, by a coordinating committee. This half-hour showing is under the auspices of the Dallas Jewish Welfare Federation.
* * * * A short time after the program made its debut, a brand new movement began . . . to revive Yiddish - and a group of very interested women organized a Club, to which they gave the folksy title: "Lomir Redn Yiddish Club1". This exceedingly appropriate name was suggested by Sarah Stein, at that time the Vice President of the Hadassah Organization in Dallas. It was for this reason that the Club was considered as stemming from the Hadassah Women's Organization, so to speak.
At our very first meeting of this club we elected Chana Kozolchyk as Chairperson. She conducted the meetings of the Club with great warmth and deep devotion. As Recording Secretary we soon elected Pauline Stromberg. I will endeavor to list the women who played a significant role in this new organization from its very beginning: such as Irene Lampert, who speaks Yiddish quite well; Tova Greenberg, who came in a bit later, after the founding of the group, and appeared before us with a series of learned lectures relating to the birth and building of the Jewish State of Israel. She became known to us as the "Israeli. "
Chavera3 Rose Gallin attends all our meetings, and brings a report of our activities to the Hadassah Organization. Her husband, Chaver2 Meyer Gallin, is a Talmudist, who had been a teacher - principal in our Hebrew School some years ago. He is highly sympathetic to our Yiddish Club. He delivered several lectures to us, beginning with the story of Creation, etc. in a wonderfully modern Yiddish. On another occasion he brought us the last news of the day concerning Israel.
A young women who had only a slight acquaintance with the Yiddish language, would attend our meetings, take notes of what transpired, and would bring the news to the meetings of the Hadassah Organization. Her name is Eileen Mishelowitz. Another fine woman joined our ranks who speaks Yiddish well and is a product of the Workmen's Circle Jewish Elementary Schools and High School in New York. Her name - Chana Goldstein . . . a most important asset for our Club.
Sarah Stein, our member, is the sister of Dr. Chaim Kish, a teacher of Hebrew, who lives in New York. While visiting Dallas some time ago, he attended one of our meetings, and read to us from the works of Chaim Nachman Bialik, from the works of Papernikov, and, with great understanding, poems from my first published book, "Main Tatn's Yerooshe.4" This gave me great pleasure and was a most pleasant surprise for all of us.
Another important member is Miriam Glatzer Funk, the Vice President of the Senior Citizen's Club of the Jewish Community Center in Dallas, who is responsible for its various cultural programs. She was amongst the first to join the "Lomir Redn Yiddish Club." She reads Yiddish fluently and tastefully. In fact, she reads important documents to our Club pertaining to the advancement of the Yiddish language. She is also the agent for the sale and distribution of my books, and has dedicated herself, with much joy and devotion, to the sale of my second book. In addition to her outstanding labors for the well-being of the Jewish community in Dallas, she is my devoted friend.
At one of our gatherings, Sarah Stein read a review of Golda Meir's autobiography, prepared by, an outstanding member of the Pioneer Women, Ruth Brodsky. Sarah Stein was installed as a representative of our Club at our very first meeting, which was held in my home, around the table - with tea and refreshments. It was then that we officially established ourselves as an organization: the "Lomir Redn Yiddish Club."
From 1978 up to the present time we have acquired over 40 members in our Club. Quite often we invite outside guests to come and enjoy our Yiddish readings, news reports, recitations, songs, etc. . .
We began this important work with a core of 16 members. At the outset, our meetings took place every two weeks, at this or that home of a member, on a social basis. This getting together, getting acquainted and drawing closer to one another aroused our interest for the rich Yiddish literature and culture.
The Jewish community of Dallas became aware of the much longed for renaissance of the use of the Yiddish language. So much so, that it reached the ears of the women's organization of Temple Emanu-el. For us, Yiddish-speaking Jews, it was a most pleasurable surprise when Rose Tobey, President of the Temple Sisterhood, in a warm and friendly manner. invited us to conduct our meetings in the magnificent Temple. It was indeed a moment beyond our fondest expectations - to successfully conduct our meetings in the new Temple! What a dream!
Every last Thursday of the month, tables and chairs are readied for us, as well as delicious coffee. Even paper utensils are provided for serving the refreshments. And we, the members, provide the sweet baked goodies, and enjoy ourselves in such friendly and cultural fashion, that we had not dared to contemplate, even in our fondest dreams. Our great joy was to live to see this become a reality. We hope to continue this for many, many more peaceful and fruitful years.
* * * * Before I go any further in my recollections I want to pay homage to Abraham Kozolchyk, the wonderful human being who gives his time and good will to transport the men and women to and from our meetings. His devotion to our "Lomir Redn Yiddish Club" and his oral contributions from time to time, help us beyond description in carrying out the important activities of our organization.
1. "Lomir Redn Yiddish"- Let's Speak Yiddish Club
2. Chaver- (masculine form) -friend.
3. Chavera - (feminine form) -friend.
4. My Father's Bequest