Alter Esselin: Craftsman of Wood and Words

This 18-minute short explores the life of Alter Esselin, a carpenter and Yiddish poet born in the small town of Tchernigov, Russia. Alter (born “Orkeh Serebrenik”), who published his poetry in three books and many Yiddish journals around the world, spent years traveling around the States as a journeyman before settling in Milwaukee. The film features recordings of Alter reciting and reflections from the late Joe (“Yosl”) Esselin, z”l, a Chicago-based playwright and Alter’s son. Learn more about the Yiddish