Max Rosenfeld

Max Rosenfeld was an important contributor to Jewish Currents who began writing for the magazine in 1953. Readers enjoyed his translations of classic Yiddish writers, as well as his many pieces about about Jewish holidays within the context of secular Jewishness and Jewish education. He wrote a regular column called 'The Parents Corner' which later turned into 'Secularism and Our Heritage.'

Born in South Philadelphia in 1913, Rosenfeld attended Central High School, Temple University and then Gratz College for Jewish Teacher Training. He learned the printing trade, but his true love was translation.

He was also founder of the Sholem Aleichem Club in Philadelphia and for 14 years (1962-76) was the Director of the Jewish Children's School of Philadelphia

Articles

December 1974-
Khanike Secularism and Our Heritage "On Hanuka"
Discusses the changing meaning of Jewish militarism. Rosenfeld argues that it's only partially true that Hanuka has come back to prominence in Jewish life because of its proximity to Christmas.
"...since about 1880, the Jews themselves... having a need for the political aspects of the holiday, have deliberately revitalized its role."

He quotes from an unpublished dissertation on Jewish historian Mayer Balaban which discusses how Bar Kochba and Hanuka were important cultural elements of Zionism in Poland. Some parts of Jewish society were not pleased with the elevation of the Macabees because it awakened a sense of Jewish nationalism and pride.

May 1971- Shvues
Parents' Corner "Three Little Heads"  by Sholem Aleichem
This article combines two key aspects of Rosenfeld's life- his passion for Yiddish translation (especially of Sholem Aleichem) and his interest in Jewish holidays as a vehicle for pedagogy.

'Three Little Heads' is a short story about three poor children, Abramtschik, Moiseytchik, and Dvoyrke. The kids wonder if it's true that the sky splits open twice a year- on Hoshana Rabo (the seventh day of sukkes) and Shevuous. Also a fun story for its use of the word hekdish. (Something possibly familiar to you if your mom ever nagged you about the state of your room.)

January 1983
Our Secular Jewish Heritage "Soviet Yiddish Writer Needs Our Help"
(From an address delivered Aug 12, 1981 as part of the annual memorial for the Martyred Soviet Jewish Writers, sponsored by Jewish Currents, Yiddishe Kultur and Morgn Freiheit)

Rosenfeld talks about Aaron Raskin, a writer who had been associated with Sovietish Heymland (the last regular Yiddish periodical to appear in the USSR.) At this time, Raskin was living in Elektrostal, a few hours from Moscow. Raskin and his wife were 'refuseniks' who petitioned the government to emigrate to Israel and join their children but had multiple applications denied. He also refers to the situation of Anatoly [Natan] Shcharansky who, at that time, was in prison, having been convicted of working for the CIA.

This article is also quite interesting for Rosenfeld's harsh condemnation of the Soviet government's persecution of Jews who tried to emigrate to Israel as well as a condemnation of the Soviet attitude regarding what is or is not legitimate or appropriate 'Jewish' culture. Rosenfeld connects the plight of Shcharansky and others to the theme of the evening commemorating the martyred Jewish writers. He emphasizes that the assembled participants believe in a revival of Jewish culture in whatever language Jews choose. And, Rosenfeld reminds us, Hebrew is also a Jewish language.