Between Silence and Speech: Dzigan and Shumacher in Post-War Poland - Diego Rotman, PhD (Hebrew University/University of Toronto)

The presentation offers an introduction to the work of Shimen Dzigan and Yisroel Shumacher, two of the most popular and distinguished comedians of Yiddish theater. Renowned for their sharp wit and social satire, Dzigan and Shumacher played a significant role in shaping Yiddish theatrical tradition and humor. This discussion will focus particularly on their performances in post-war Poland, examining how their work engaged with themes of survival, displacement, and the reconstruction of Jewish cultural life in the aftermath of the Holocaust.

Diego Rotman is a researcher, multidisciplinary artist, and curator. His research focuses on performative practices in relation to local historiography, folklore, and Yiddish theatre. He is the author of The Yiddish Stage as a Temporary Home: Dzigan and Shumacher’s Satirical Theater (1927-1980) (De Gruyter, 2021), which won the Shapiro Award for the Best Book in Israeli Studies (2019) in its Hebrew version. Diego served as Head of the Department of Theatre Studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem from 2019 to 2024 and is currently a visiting professor at the Anne Tanenbaum Centre for Jewish Studies, University of Toronto (2024-2025).

Location: Leacock 738

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