International Association of Yiddish Clubs
Dr. Alexandra (Shura) Vaisman, of Bethesda, 59. was a native of Chernovtsy (then Soviet Union, now Ukraine), she was her high school valedictorian and received all her subsequent degrees with highest distinction, including a master’s degree in chemical technology (1985) and a Ph.D. in polymer chemistry (1989), both from the Moscow Institute of Fine Chemical Technology. Her dissertation research was focused on the development of synthetic blood substitutes and innovative polymer medical devices.
In the late 1980s, Shura was part of a group of scientists studying the chemical synthesis of early anti-AIDS drugs. In the 1990s, she was a research scientist at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she investigated platinum-based anti-cancer drugs. Since 2000 she worked at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, in Bethesda, specializing in research relating to DNA replication and repair, and other fields. She co-authored over 60 scientific articles and collaborated with many prominent scientists.
In the late 1980s, Shura was part of a group of scientists studying the chemical synthesis of early anti-AIDS drugs. In the 1990s, she was a research scientist at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she investigated platinum-based anti-cancer drugs. Since 2000 she worked at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, in Bethesda, specializing in research relating to DNA replication and repair, and other fields. She co-authored over 60 scientific articles and collaborated with many prominent scientists.
art by Alexander Vaisman
שוראַ װײַסמאַן
שאַפֿערין פֿון אַנימאַציע־פֿילמען פֿון ייִדישע לידער
Shura created some of the first websites devoted to Yiddish culture, produced a number of short animated films and was a co-illustrator for “In Eynem,” a language textbook produced by the Yiddish Book Center.
17th IAYC Yiddish Conference
In Memory of Shura Vaisman
Live Online: Feb 27, 2022 @ 10 a.m. EST
IAYC proudly announces the 17th edition of our beloved conference, now entirely online!
Featuring lectures, presentations, and music with some of today’s leading scholars and artists in Yiddish Culture,
Zayt bagrist!
This conference is convened in honor and memory of beloved colleague and friend Shura Vaisman z”l, who was an accomplished scientist and pioneering figure in the field of animated Yiddish films and early Yiddish websites. As she was a native of Chernovtsy (also known as Czernowitz or Tshernovits), many of the presentations will focus on the rich history and culture of this storied center of Yiddish letters and song.
All times are listed in Eastern Time (New York/Montreal). Each presentation time slot will feature two concurrent presentations in Rooms A and B.
Come to a single lecture or performance, or come to the whole day’s programming!
Shura Vaisman z'll Yiddish Conference
10:30-10:45am
- CONFERENCE OPENING: Iosif Vaisman and Sebastian Schulman
10:45-11:00am
- GREETINGS FROM THE IAYC PRESIDENTS: Barbara Goldstein and Alex Weiser
11:00 am-12:00pm
- Fieldwork on Jewish Folklore and Ethnography in Czernowitz: Maria Kaspina (E) (Room A)
- Yiddish Animation for Yiddish Edutainment | Yidishe animatsye far yidish dertsi-farvaylung: Leybl Botwinik (Y/E) (Room B)
12:00-1:00pm
- Soviet Secret Police Files on Ukraine’s Yiddish Writers: Gennady Estraikh (E) (Room A)
- Candles of Song: Yiddish Poems about Mothers: Sheva Zucker (Y/E) (Room B)
1:00-2:00pm
- BROWN BAG LUNCH, Shmues with Kolya Borodulin & friends (Y)
2:00-3:00pm
- Yekhiel Shraybman: A Life in Between the Lines: Sebastian Schulman (E) (Room A)
- Computer Applications for Yiddish | Kompyuter programvarg letoyves yidish: Refoyl Finkel (Y) (Room B)
3:00-4:00pm
- Yiddish Language Activism from Czernowitz to Vilna: The Czernowitz Language Conference and its Legacy: Cecile Kuznitz (E) (Room A)
- The Repertory of a Yiddish Folksinger from Czernowitz: Itzik Gottesman (Y) (Room B)
4:00-5:00pm
- Tsvishnkayt: Betweenness as a Defining Trait of Jewish Czernowitz: Iosif Vaisman (E) (Room A)
- The Women of Rokhl Korn’s Poetic Vision: Miriam Isaacs (E/Y) (Room B)
5:00-6:00pm
- In eynem: Fashioning Yiddishland in the 21st Century Classroom: Asya Vaisman Schulman (E/Y) (Room A)
- The Belated Echo | Der farshpetikter ekho: Boris Sandler (Y) (Room B)
6:00-6:15pm
- Presentation of the Awards: Barbara Goldstein and Alex Weiser
6:15-7:00pm
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- Shura Vaisman Yiddish Animation Retrospective: Kolya Borodulin
7:30pm
CONCERT: Double Bill!
- Deborah Strauss and Jeff Warschauer
- Ilya Shneyveys with Psoy Korolenko & Eleonore Weill
9:00pm
- CONCERT: Yale Strom and Elizabeth Schwartz