The Downers Grove Public Library landed a spot in a national humanities program that brings Yiddish literary culture to local readers, and the first public event is a free book discussion and film screening of "Tevye" on Thursday, Sept. 10.
The two-hour program runs from 1 to 3 p.m. in the library's meeting room at 1050 Curtiss St. Seating is limited to 100 people, and registration opens Tuesday, Sept. 1, at 9 a.m. on the library's website.
The event is part of Between Two Worlds: Exploring Jewish Culture and Religion Through Yiddish Literature, a grant-funded partnership between the Yiddish Book Center in Amherst, Massachusetts, and the American Library Association. The Downers Grove library is one of 38 libraries nationwide selected for the 2025–2026 cycle.
What the grant brings
A nearly $2.5 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. funds the program, which provides each participating library with Yiddish literature in translation, reading guides and up to $2,000 to bring in guest speakers or expand programming. One library staff member also receives a fully funded training workshop at the Yiddish Book Center's campus.
The ALA describes the program as using Yiddish literature to guide community conversations around assimilation, identity and immigration. Three rounds of grants will run between 2025 and 2027, along with a traveling exhibition and virtual programming.
The book
Sholem Aleichem's "Tevye the Dairyman," first published in 1894, follows a Jewish milkman navigating faith, family and poverty in a small Eastern European village. Readers may know the story better through its 1964 Broadway adaptation, "Fiddler on the Roof." The Sept. 10 event pairs a discussion of the original text with a film screening, though the library has not specified which adaptation will be shown.
The program is listed under the library's senior programming, suggesting it is geared toward older adults, but the event page does not restrict attendance by age.
Upcoming community events
- Sept. 1: Registration opens at 9 a.m. for the Tevye discussion and screening at Downers Grove Public Library
- Sept. 10: Tevye book discussion and film showing, 1–3 p.m., Downers Grove Public Library
- Oct. 3: Westmont police shred fundraiser for Special Olympics
