In the Land of Happy Tears

In the Land of Happy Tears points back to a time that is closer than we think-a shared past that was almost lost but that can still be experienced one story at a time. Whether in the real world of the heder, where boys studied Hebrew and religion, or in fantastical worlds of kings, queens, and forests, these tales reveal the minds of their writers and readers-an inheritance nearly forgotten-offering a chance to enter the world in which these stories were created. In this busy era, when senseless events take up most of our daily attention, this collection gives children and adults alike a chance to dip in and out of a world that is oddly familiar-reminding them of a past that is always about to be forgotten, but that feels somehow so similar to the present. By portraying the images and values of a traditional life that was being upended, these authors created entry points into the past, not only for Jewish children of the time, but for all

The stories in this collection come from a world where Jewish life was infused with Yiddish culture. This is not the Yiddish that has come to be depicted or portrayed in popular culture-a kind of nostalgic yearning for a lost authenticity. This is Yiddish as a culture of resilience. Even when they tell of magical realms or treasures buried in the snow, the stories are gritty reflections of real experiences-empowering their readers by increasing their awareness about the world and themselves. The stories are an attempt, by writers who were themselves grasping at straws, to create something for the younger generation, to help with the struggles that perhaps were sensed even if they were not yet known. This feels a lot like our situation today, when we are tasked with equipping the next generation just when we ourselves don't exactly know what to make of our historical moment. Perhaps the best option we have is to make the next generation aware of its own powers.