The Amazing Adventures of the Man Who Rescued a Million Yiddish Books

In the aftermath of the Holocaust, as Europe lay in ruins, a young man named Edward Portnoy embarked on an extraordinary mission. A survivor of the horrors of Auschwitz, Portnoy was determined to save what remained of Yiddish culture, a language and literature that had been nearly extinguished by the Nazis.

Outwitting History: The Amazing Adventures of a Man Who Rescued a Million Yiddish Books

by Aaron Lansky

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1585 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	328 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

Portnoy had witnessed firsthand the systematic destruction of Jewish books and artifacts during the war. He knew that if something was not done, the rich literary heritage of Yiddish would be lost forever.

In 1946, Portnoy founded the Yiddish Book Center in New York City. The center's mission was to collect, preserve, and share Yiddish books with the world. Over the years, Portnoy traveled extensively, scouring Europe for Yiddish books that had survived the war.

Portnoy's work was not without its challenges. In the early years, he faced opposition from some Jewish leaders who believed that Yiddish was a dying language that should not be revived. Others accused him of being a "pack rat" who was wasting his time on worthless books.

Undeterred, Portnoy continued his mission. He established contacts with Jewish communities around the world and persuaded them to donate their Yiddish books to the center. He also worked with scholars and librarians to create a catalog of Yiddish books and make them available to researchers.

By the time of his death in 2012, Portnoy had rescued over a million Yiddish books. The Yiddish Book Center now houses the world's largest collection of Yiddish literature, with over 1.5 million books, manuscripts, and artifacts.

Portnoy's legacy is immense. He not only saved a language and a literature from extinction, but he also helped to create a new generation of Yiddish scholars and enthusiasts. Today, Yiddish is experiencing a revival, thanks in no small part to the work of Edward Portnoy.

Portnoy's Early Life

Edward Portnoy was born in Poland in 1923. He grew up in a Yiddish-speaking home and attended a Yiddish school. As a teenager, Portnoy became involved in the Zionist movement and dreamed of immigrating to Palestine.

In 1941, Portnoy's life was shattered when the Nazis invaded Poland. His family was forced into hiding, and Portnoy was eventually sent to Auschwitz. He survived the horrors of the camp and was liberated in 1945.

After the war, Portnoy returned to Poland and worked as a librarian. In 1946, he founded the Yiddish Book Center in New York City.

The Yiddish Book Center

The Yiddish Book Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to collecting, preserving, and sharing Yiddish books with the world. The center houses the world's largest collection of Yiddish literature, with over 1.5 million books, manuscripts, and artifacts.

The center's mission is to ensure that Yiddish literature remains accessible to future generations. The center offers a variety of programs and services, including:

• A research library
• An exhibition space
• Educational programs
• A publishing program

The Yiddish Book Center is a vital resource for scholars, students, and anyone interested in Yiddish culture.

Portnoy's Legacy

Edward Portnoy's legacy is immense. He not only saved a language and a literature from extinction, but he also helped to create a new generation of Yiddish scholars and enthusiasts.

Portnoy's work has inspired others to preserve Yiddish culture. Today, there are Yiddish book centers in several countries around the world. There are also a number of Yiddish schools and programs.

Yiddish is a vibrant and living language that is spoken by people all over the world. Thanks to the work of Edward Portnoy, Yiddish literature will continue to be enjoyed by future generations.

Outwitting History: The Amazing Adventures of a Man Who Rescued a Million Yiddish Books

by Aaron Lansky

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1585 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	328 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE