Author to speak during programs

Staff report

LIBERTY

The Rabbi Samuel Meyer Memorial Lecture and Scholar in Residence Weekend will present Michael Wex, author of “Born to Kvetch,” during programs at Temple El Emeth, 3970 Logan Way.

A Shabbat evening service is planned at 5:45 p.m. May 23 with a dinner at 6:30.

Reservation forms are available at Temple El Emeth office.

“What Makes Yiddish Jewish” will be Wex’s topic in a lecture at 8 p.m. with an Oneg Shabbat following.

There is no charge, but reservations are requested by calling the temple at 330-759-1429.

Wex, a native of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, uses a unique style of lecturing and teaching, combining learning, stand-up comedy and probing investigation into the nature of Yiddish and Yiddishkayt.

Some of his songs have been recorded by such klezmer bands as Sukke, The Flying Bulgars and 2007 Grammy winners, the Klezmatics.

In addition to translating Yiddish, Wex is an accomplished translator into Yiddish, having done the only such translation of “The Three Penny Opera” authorized by the author’s estates.

He has translated songs by such artists as Gloria Gaynor, Irving Berlin and Bob Dylan.

Next Saturday, there will be an abridged Shabbat service at 9:30 a.m. followed by a talk by Wex at 11:15 on “Don’t Knock Me a Tea Kettle.”

It will focus on well-known Yiddish expressions.

The scholar-in-residence weekend is sponsored by Temple El Emeth, Sandra and Arnold Rosen Fund, Jewish Christian Dialogue, Congregation Rodef Sholom, Children of Israel, Congregation Ohev Tzedek, Schermer Trust Fund, Jewish Community Center and Youngstown Area Jewish Federation.