Renee Ghert-Zand, Author at Hadassah Magazine

‘Before and After’: An Artist Responds to the War in Ukraine

‘Before and After’: An Artist Responds to the War in Ukraine

by Renee Ghert-Zand

Israeli artist Zoya Cherkassky, who was born in Ukraine, uses drawing and painting to process the horrific images of war in the country.

Zionist Home Goods

by Renee Ghert-Zand

Israeliana—decorative and ritual object made in the early years of the Jewish states—are now collectibles.

Being Jewish
Personality

Hannah Senesh Archives to Go Online

by Renee Ghert-Zand

The site will include thousands of digitized images of original documents and items recently donated by her family.

Arts
Personality

D.J. Miri Petel, She’s Got the Beat

by Renee Ghert-Zand

Petel has found a way to reconcile her modern Orthodox lifestyle with her passion for music and movement.

Koolulam, Israel’s Mass Singing Sensation

by Renee Ghert-Zand

The social initiative fosters unity through song, and Israelis have jumped at the opportunity to express solidarity by singing with strangers.

Choirs in Israel Listen, Then Harmonize

by Renee Ghert-Zand

Israeli of all ages are turning to music ensembles to bridge both political and cultural gaps.

Israeli Scene
Feature

Coworking Hubs Unite Solo Israelis at the Office

by Renee Ghert-Zand

Thousands of Israelis rent desks or private offices on a monthly, weekly, daily or even hourly basis at one of the country’s more than 200 coworking spaces.

Israeli Scene
Feature

Making the Dream of Aliyah Come True for Retirees

by Renee Ghert-Zand

Despite challenges, retirees enjoy rewarding new lives in Israel, where they are a force as volunteers.

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Dec 6

Dec 6, 1889: #onthisday in #jewesshistory, Celia Feinman Adler Forman, known known as the "First Lady of the Yiddish theater” was born in New York City. ⁠
⁠
Born as Tzirele Adler to British actress Dina Shtettin, who left her Orthodox family to join the theater world, and Jacob P. Adler, the Yiddish theater star who founded a theatrical dynasty. Among her half-siblings were noted actors Jay Adler, Luther Adler and Stella Adler. ⁠
⁠
In 1919, Adler, a Zionist, helped open the first Yiddish Art Theater and wrote the two-volume study, “The Yiddish Theater in America." When “the Dybbuk” came to the New York Yiddish Art Theater, Adler starred as Leah, the woman who is possessed by a dybbuk. ⁠
⁠
In 1937, Celia starred in the Yiddish film “Where Is My Child?” ("Vu iz mayn kind?”). She also gave one of the earliest theatrical portrayals of a Holocaust survivor in her half-brother Luther Adler’s 1946 Broadway production of “A Flag is Born.” ⁠
⁠
Three men were fortunate enough to wed the “dramatic soubrette”—so called by Carl Van Vechten. In 1915 Adler married actor Lazar Freed and later said “I do” to her manager, Jack Cone, in 1930. After her second husband’s death in 1959, she married New York businessman Nathan Forman. He died a week before Adler. ⁠
⁠
Her last film was “Naked City” (1948) and the actress’ last Broadway show was the 1961 drama “Women in Horseradish.” In the aftermath of World War II, Adler gave performances to American troops in English and Yiddish. �⁠
⁠
“Mrs. Forman was sustained by an enormous creative energy throughout her life and an unflagging devotion to Jewish drama, becoming its foremost female exponent,” Joan Cook wrote in a 1979 New York Times obituary. ⁠
⁠
Celia died on January 31, 1979 after suffering a heart attack. A week before she died at the Hebrew Home, Adler performed a one-act monologue and was already preparing for her next act. She is buried in the Yiddish Theater Section of Mount Hebron Cemetery in NYC.

Dec 6, 1889: #onthisday in #jewesshistory, Celia Feinman Adler Forman, known known as the "First Lady of the Yiddish theater” was born in New York City. ⁠
⁠
Born as Tzirele Adler to British actress Dina Shtettin, who left her Orthodox family to join the theater world, and Jacob P. Adler, the Yiddish theater star who founded a theatrical dynasty. Among her half-siblings were noted actors Jay Adler, Luther Adler and Stella Adler. ⁠
⁠
In 1919, Adler, a Zionist, helped open the first Yiddish Art Theater and wrote the two-volume study, “The Yiddish Theater in America." When “the Dybbuk” came to the New York Yiddish Art Theater, Adler starred as Leah, the woman who is possessed by a dybbuk. ⁠
⁠
In 1937, Celia starred in the Yiddish film “Where Is My Child?” ("Vu iz mayn kind?”). She also gave one of the earliest theatrical portrayals of a Holocaust survivor in her half-brother Luther Adler’s 1946 Broadway production of “A Flag is Born.” ⁠
⁠
Three men were fortunate enough to wed the “dramatic soubrette”—so called by Carl Van Vechten. In 1915 Adler married actor Lazar Freed and later said “I do” to her manager, Jack Cone, in 1930. After her second husband’s death in 1959, she married New York businessman Nathan Forman. He died a week before Adler. ⁠
⁠
Her last film was “Naked City” (1948) and the actress’ last Broadway show was the 1961 drama “Women in Horseradish.” In the aftermath of World War II, Adler gave performances to American troops in English and Yiddish. �⁠
⁠
“Mrs. Forman was sustained by an enormous creative energy throughout her life and an unflagging devotion to Jewish drama, becoming its foremost female exponent,” Joan Cook wrote in a 1979 New York Times obituary. ⁠
⁠
Celia died on January 31, 1979 after suffering a heart attack. A week before she died at the Hebrew Home, Adler performed a one-act monologue and was already preparing for her next act. She is buried in the Yiddish Theater Section of Mount Hebron Cemetery in NYC. ...

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