Osherowitch, Mendl

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OSHEROWITCH, MENDL

OSHEROWITCH, MENDL (pseudonyms: A. Glan, M. Glebovitch, Menakhem Podolyer, M. Ovodovski ; 1888–1965), Yiddish journalist and author. Born in Trostyanets, Ukraine, Osherowitch immigrated to the U.S. in 1909. From 1914 on he was a staff member of the New York daily Forverts which printed most of his profuse production before parts of it appeared in book form. His writings include stories, plays, historical novels, numerous biographies, popular history, travel impressions, theater history, a history of Forverts, criticism, and autobiography. He also translated widely from Russian and English, and wrote the scenario of the popular Yiddish film A Brivele der Mamen ("A Letter to Mother," Poland, 1938). His book on David *Kessler and Paul *Muni, Dovid Kesler un Muni Vayzenfraynd (1930), his memoirs, and his studies of Ukrainian Jewish towns are of great interest.

bibliography:

Rejzen, Leksikon, 1 (1926), 186–8; Z. Zylbercweig, Leksikon fun Yidishn Teater (1931), 113–4; lnyl, 1 (1956), 195–6. add. bibliography: M. Shtarkman, in: Di Goldene Keyt, 37 (1960), 203–6.

[Leonard Prager]