Theodore Bikel: In the Shoes of Sholom Aleichem

**75 Minutes | Documentary | USA | English**
**Produced under the aegis of The National Center for Jewish Film**
**Director: John Lollos / Narrator: Alan Alda**

Portraits of two beloved icons–Sholom Aleichem and Theodore Bikel–are woven
together in the enchanting documentary, **_Theodore Bikel: In the Shoes of
Sholom Aleichem_** , which combines Bikel’s charismatic storytelling and
masterful performances with a broader exploration of Aleichem’s remarkable
life and work. The two men have much in common: wit, wisdom and talent, all
shot through with deep humanity and Yiddishkeit.

**Theodore Bikel** , the unstoppable performer whose career spanned more than
150 screen roles (including an Oscar-nominated turn in The Defiant Ones) and
countless stage and musical productions, was also the foremost interpreter of
Sholom Aleichem’s work. Bikel played Tevye the Milkman on stage more than
2,000 times and animated Aleichem’s work through his creation of two
celebrated musical plays about the great Russian author.

A pioneer of modern Jewish literature who championed and luxuriated in the
Yiddish language, **Sholom Aleichem** created dozens of indelible characters.
His Tevye the Milkman, Motl the Cantor’s Son, and Menachem Mendl all remain
invaluable windows into pre-war Eastern European Jewish life, real and
imagined.

Following the film, **Aimee Ginsburg Bikel** will continue the celebration of
Theodore Bikel’s (z”l) Centennial year, sharing stories of her late husband’s
remarkable career and legacy. She will be joined onstage for a concert of
Theodore Bikel’s greatest hits performed by acclaimed Yiddish musical artist
(and Detroit favorite!) **Mikhl Yashinsky** and musical director **Dr. Lorry
A. Black** , Lowell Milken Center for Music of American Jewish Experience UCLA
Herb Alpert School of Music.

Presented by SAJE (Seminars for Adult Jewish Enrichment) and the Lenore Marwil
Detroit Jewish Film Festival. Promotional Partners Detroit Jewish Book Fair,
Henry & Delia Meyers Library, and JLearn.

This program is made possible by generous support from Workmen’s
Circle/Arbeter Ring and Bronze Film Sponsor Jewish Historical Society of
Michigan Sholem Aleichem Institute Yiddishkeit Programming Fund.
_SAJE is endowed by a generous gift from Cis Maisel and supported by Carol &
Ronald P. Fogel, Sheri & David Jaffa, and Elaine & Michael Serling through The
J’s Pillars of Light Program._

Organized by: The J, Detroit Jewish Film Festival, Seminars for Adult Jewish
Enrichment (SAJE)

View event on Jlive: https://jlive.app/events/8241