Cultural and Popular Fronts

The earlier emphasis on producing and being part of “Yidishe Kultur” (Yiddish Culture, a broad rubric that encompasses primarily secular Jewish engagement with the arts) was seen as consistent with the IWO / JPFO’s overall focus on harnessing “Kultur-Arbet” (Cultural Work) for overtly political ends. The early radical Hammer, Signal, and the Spark magazines, published well-known writers such as puppeteer and playwright Yosl Cutler, and ARTEF was its associated edgy theatre company. The IWO’s Jewish Section also was instrumental in convening a Popular Front transnational Yiddish cultural conference and organization. Haim Slovès in 1937 in Paris, with the IWO’s unseen backing, brought together famous European writers with those in the Americas, founding YKUF [(IKUF) Yidisher Kultur Farband (Yiddish Cultural Association)] with a full cultural and educational program.

Call to a Cultural Conference

In Yiddish. Magazine publication, booklet size. Special Lenin Issue. Contents: Writers are Paul Novick, Alexander Bittelman, P. Yidiitsh, Dr M. Anin, N. Rubenshteyn, Y. Sultan. Poetry 'Dos Inere Gezets' by Martin Birnboym; 'Urtayl' by Aron Kurtz; 'In Groy-Land' by Yitskhok Aprut. A play by Chaver Paver, 'Der Goldener Barg'; Story by L. Khanukov, 'Libe'. 'A Simfonie fun Blut', a review by L. Khan of a book of songs and poems from the Spanish Civil War. Contains advertisements for IWO books and Der Hamer discussion groups and subscriptions.

The Hammer, Worker's Monthly

"The JPFO has just published a booklet NEVER TO FORGET, with drawings by William Gropper and poetry by Howard Fast, which will cause a real stir amongst our members and the general public"

Publication of Never to Forget

Never to forget, the battle of the Warsaw Ghetto

Translated Summary: Itche Goldberg Plan for cultural work, first draft. "a. Utilize programs that we have on the Jewish holidays. and b. Add programs on American/Jewish historical events (such as Labor Day; Fourth of July; Washington-Lincoln; May 1st; c. Evenings on Jewish Culture (the 30th anniversary of Sholem Aleichem's death etc.) Note. All the above to be carried out by the lodges on the basis of programs we prepare." Proposes to publish in English: Sholem Asch, Sholem Aleichem, Y. L. Peretz as well as literature on American Jewish historical contributions and a songbook by Ruth Rubin. Also proposes a bowling league in larger cities and a pamphlet about the JPFO (Ordn).

Plan for Cultural Work in the English Speaking Lodges

In Yiddish. Notes on top say "For Itche" in Yiddish, and "File Bronx" in English. Speech for Bronx County Convention, reprinted as a pamphlet, probably for branch discussions. Material regarding culture ranges from ideological (quoting Olgin on the importance of cultural work animated by the latest and best knowledge and understanding) to practical (setting up a culture committee for the borough, not starting meetings too late, creating a dedicated money stream for cultural activities), and using culture to reach out to the broader community. Emphasizes that the Ordn is a fraternal organization above all. Gives a 'ten commandments' of fraternalism. These include the importance of setting a friendly tone, welcoming new members, socializing outside the Ordn activities, expressing concern for the sick and the impoverished, and comforting bereaved members and their families. Other suggestions include group birthday celebrations, family evenings, etc.

Cultural Work, Fraternalism, Inner Life- Material for a Discussion

The IWO had also rapidly broadened to encompass well-known cultural figures before and during the prewar Unity or Popular Front, and most especially during World War II. Writers, intellectuals, artists, performers, mostly fellow travelers, were considered critical to community and popular support. Associated figures included Albert Einstein, Paul Robeson, Langston Hughes, Howard Fast, William Gropper, Sholem Asch, Earl Robinson, Hazel Scott, Leon Bibbs, Chaver Paver, Moshe Nadir, Ruth Rubin, Aaron Kramer, Itche Goldberg, Philip Foner, Pete Seeger, Jules Dassin, and Marc Chagall. Literary publications, poetry, art, dance and concert performances were greatly valued as were “folk” productions and expositions.

In Yiddish. Autographed letter. Translated Summary: Sending "Belatchke's" [his nickname for Bella Chagall] books, hoping Rubin Saltzman can get them to his friends in the Jewish Anti-Fascist Committee (JAFC) in Moscow. Asks if, as her second yortsayt (d. September 2, 1944 = 14th of Elul, 5704) approaches, Saltzman is still ready to publish her second book "Life and Love". Note: In fact, the Ordn (JPFO) did later publish Bella Chagall's second book, under the title "Di ershte bagegenish", or "First Encounter", accompanied by Marc Chagall's illustrations. Also see typed letter of January 11, 1946 from Rubin Saltzman to Marc Chagall confirming receipt of her books to be sent to Moscow and that Bella Chagall's posthumous memoir will be published.

Marc Chagall to Rubin Saltzman regarding Bella Chagall's Books, January 1946 (correspondence)

These two letters are dated December 2nd. Translated Summary: One, on blue paper, 1 page long, is addressed generally to the American Division of YKUF [IKUF]. Signatures are cut off, but it clearly comes from the directorate. Chides NY sharply for writing to the Lithuanian national committee to say that NY is gradually taking over the work of the Kultur Farband, and encouraging Lithuania to communicate with them directly. "In our letter of 11-25 we expressed our opinion on the matter of YKUF’s center. If you are not in agreement with us, we can drag it in front of all the usual committees, but you can’t be allowed to go behind our backs to whatever national organization..." The other letter of 2 December, on cream YKUF stationery, is 2 pages long and addressed personally to Olgin, Saltzman, and Sultan: "The stormy dynamism of your novelists, poets, general and national secretaries of YKUF in NY present a real danger to the world peace of the Kultur Farband... Enclosed is our friendly letter to the committee. As you can see, the situation is serious." Discusses implications of defections, in Paris and in NY. Deplores the opportunism, “bench-grabbing”, and behind-the-back politics. Urges the directorate to take the crisis seriously and to ‘look in on’ NY’s YKUF more often. Signed by Slovès. Note: The national committee of the IKUF in America: Kalmen (Kalman) Marmor (Mermer), Zishe Weinper, Paul (Pesach) Novick, Nachman Meisel, R. Saltzman, Itche Goldberg, Rabbi Avrom Bik (Abraham Bick), Raphael Mahler, Kleinberg, (B.Z.) Goldberg (Benjamin Waife, Sholem Aleichem’s son-in-law), Moishe Katz, Ahron Gudelman (Aaron Gidelman)]

Henri Slovès to Moissaye Olgin, Yosef Sultan, and Rubin Saltzman about two letters from the YKUF Directorate, November 1938

Program Material for the "Jewish Folk Song"

About 10,000 pages of documents from the Kheel Center’s collection of International Workers’ Order records have been digitized. You can find more of these documents here along with the full version of documents provided here.

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Fellow Travelers From Popular Front to Cold War