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December 12, 2003/Kislev 17 5764, Vol. 56, No. 12
Retired attorney's book redefines Yiddish
JESSICA BARBER
Staff Writer
One might say that Leon H. Gildin has done it all.
From his 40-year career as a general practice attorney in Manhattan to his production of nightclub revues in swanky New York City clubs, Gildin has heard almost every line in the book - including when a former client asked him to write a dirty book in Yiddish.
"I asked him why he would want me to write a book like that," says Gildin. "He sent two books to my office, one Spanish-English and one French-English ... and they were filthy. Really filthy. That was when I made up my mind that this was not for Yiddish, and that Yiddish really didn't adapt itself to that kind of language. I told him no."
But writing a book about the Yiddish language did strike a chord with Gildin, and he began seeking an agent and a publishing company to support his own literary ideas.
Although approaching agents and publishers may seem daunting, Gildin was no stranger to public scrutiny. Years earlier, he and his accountant had entered the realm of show business - and made a few connections of their own.
"My accountant came in to see me one day and said 'give me a check for $3,000,' " Gildin recalls. "I said, 'you're a first-class meshugene. Why on Earth would I give you a check for $3,000?' And he said 'we're going into show biz.' "
Gildin and his new partner brought a French revue to Canada, which eventually made its way into the New York City nightclub scene.
"By the time it got to New York, the show's producer had been fired," recalls Gildin. "The actors said they would only continue if I became the producer."
After the French revue's run was over, Gildin produced a show at the Playboy Club and brought "The New Musical of Israel" to New York City theaters, he says.
"After that, I got involved with writers and producers," says Gildin. And then it was on to writing his book.
Originally, Gildin wanted to create a book defining Yiddish words and the influence that the language has had on the modern business world, from the garment industry to catering to show business. But unfortunately for Gildin, publishers didn't show immediate interest in his pitch. So, Gildin put the book aside until he retired from his career as an attorney and moved from New York City to Sedona with his wife six years ago.
"When I came out to Sedona, I decided to give it another whirl," he says. "I read an article in the Jewish Forward about a woman who was a literary agent ... and she loved the idea. We were able to get a publisher."
When Gildin began to seriously research and write the book, he expanded beyond his original idea to include Yiddish words commonly used in family situations and pop culture.
"Originally, the title of the book was 'You Can't Do Business Without Yiddish,' " he says. "But as I got involved in the writing, I realized I was missing a very big portion of the Yiddish world - the family. I went on and away from the business end of it when I dealt with the family."
The book, "You Can't Do Business (Or Most Anything Else) Without Yiddish" ($17.50, hardcover, Hippocrene Books, Inc.), was published in 2000.
"The book was not written as a comic or as a joke," he says. "It presents an historic kind of basis for why words are included and why various industries are included. The garment industry, restaurants, catering, music, television, gangsters and the family are a few of the things of interest in the Yiddish language."
Since the book's publication, the New York City native has spoken at synagogues, Jewish community centers, bookstores and other venues throughout the United States, including a presentation sponsored by Or Adam Congregation at the Tri-City Jewish Community Center earlier this month.
In addition, Or Adam plans to show a documentary, produced by Gildin in the 1980s, to commemorate Yom Hashoah in April. The documentary, "Theresienstadt, Gateway to Auschwitz: Recollections from Childhood," focuses on the memories Holocaust survivors have of being held at concentration camps during World War II.
In between book signings and speeches, Gildin is finishing a book of 20th century Yiddish poems translated into English. He is seeking a publisher for the book.
He also is sponsoring a project, "History of the Secular Yiddish Movement in America" through Temple University in Philadelphia. The project focuses on the influence Yiddish has had on American culture from a non-religious standpoint.
The Gildins moved from Sedona to Paradise Valley earlier this year.
The couple has two adult children living in California.
His book, "You Can't Do Business (Or Most Anything Else) Without Yiddish," is available at most bookstores and www.amazon.com.
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