From a Bird's Cage to a Thin Branch: The Selected Poems of Yosef Kerler

Between Two Worlds: Exploring Jewish Culture and Religion through Yiddish Literature

Join Dr. Kareem James Abu-Zeid to discuss From a Bird's Cage to a Thin Branch: The Selected Poems of Yosef Kerler. A free copy of the book will be provided to early registrants. Please register below.

From a Bird's Cage to a Thin Branch: The Selected Poems of Yosef Kerler

The first Yiddish/English bilingual edition of one of Yiddish literature’ s most vital post-war poets. Born in the Ukrainian town of Haysin and raised in Crimea, Yosef Kerler was perhaps the only Yiddish poet to publish poetry written in the gulag. He would later become one of the first prominent refuseniks. This collection proves strikingly timely, with the poet’ s complicated relationship to his “ cradle-land” echoing throughout, in poems of Ukrainian forests and folk heroes, of the Vorkuta Gulag and Babi Yar.

Kareem James Abu-Zeid, PhD

Kareem James Abu-Zeid is a translator, editor, writer, teacher, and scholar who works across multiple languages. As an acclaimed translator of Arabic literature, he works with prominent English-language publishing houses to introduce the writings of Arab poets and novelists to a broad audience, seeking to promote Arabic literature in the US and around the world. While he enjoys translating all kinds of texts, he is particularly fond of Arabic poetry.

Learn More about Translator, Writer, and Editor Kareem James Abu-Zeid, PhD at kareemjamesabuzeid.com

Presented as part of the Yiddish Book Center's Public Libraries Program, in partnership with the ALA and funded by the Lilly Endowment, Inc. Made possible by the Friends of the Santa Fe Public Library.

The Yiddish Book Center’s Public Libraries Program brings Yiddish literature in translation to public libraries across the United States to deepen their engagement with Yiddish literature and Jewish life, religion, and culture, and to foster vibrant cross-cultural dialogue and discussion in their communities.   

Each year, the Center works with 40 libraries in communities across the United States. The current theme is Between Two Worlds: Exploring Jewish Culture and Religion through Yiddish Literature. Visit yiddishbookcenter.org.

The Friends of the Santa Fe Public Library is an independent non-profit organization whose mission is to support the public library by providing funding, advocacy, programming, services, and materials that enrich the diverse community it serves. Visit santafelibraryfriends.org.

For accommodations such as translations, ASL interpreters, or disability needs, please email library@santafenm.gov or call the Library.