Fifty-five years ago, on August 12, 1952, the Soviet régime of Joseph Stalin executed fourteen prominent Yiddish writers and Jewish communal officials in an attempt to wipe out Jewish culture. It was the last wave of executions before Stalin's death the following year, sending a strong statement of anti-Semitism that poisoned life for Jews in the USSR and the Eastern bloc countries for decades to come.

The photo above is of poet Peretz Markish and author Dovid Bergelson (both victims of August 12th), poet Izi Kharik (arrested and executed in 1937), and famed actor/director Solomon Mikhoels (assassinated by the Soviet secret police on January 12, 1948).

As has been done in years past, a coalition of secular Jewish organizations in the Los Angeles area will commemorate these events with a program featuring stories, poems, and songs set to the words of Soviet poets, with music by the Mit Gezang Yiddish Chorus under the direction of Kathryn Rowe. Lilke Majzner, Hershl Hartman, Archie Barkan, Yankev Lewin, and Eric Gordon will take part. This uniquely beautiful and uplifting afternoon program will be in Yiddish and English.

Participating groups include: The Workmen's Circle/Arbeter Ring, Los Angeles Yiddish Culture Club, Sholem Community Organization, Yiddishkayt Los Angeles, Jewish Labor Committee, Meretz USA/Hashomer Hatzair, Ameinu, Emma Lazarus Jewish Women's Club, Progressive Jewish Alliance, California Institute for Yiddish Culture and Language, Adat Chaverim and Secular Jewish Humanists of L.A.