This book is a collection of short stories that are traditional for the Jewish people. All of the stories are set in the town of Chelm, a place where silly people live. The characters of the book will surprise you with their funny ways of thinking and their stupid ways of doing things. They will make you think about how to be a good person and live in a positive way.
Meet the author:
Isaac Bashevis Singer
Read the biography and, in your notebook, answer the questions with complete sentences.
Isaac Bashevis Singer was born on July 24, 1904 in Radzymin, Poland. His parents were very religious Jews and wanted him to become a rabbi. In 1921 he went to a Rabbinical School, but left only two years later to work for a magazine as a writer. His religion was always a strong influence in his writing, but he never went back to that school.
In 1935, he moved to America. He lived in New York City and began writing for a newspaper as a journalist. His brother Joshua Singer also lived there and was also a famous writer. Isaac said his brother was his biggest influence. In 1950 Singer wrote his first book, The Family Moskat, which is the story of a Polish Jewish family before World War II. He followed this novel with a series of well-received short stories, including his most famous, “Gimpel, The Fool.”
By the 1970s, he had become a major international writer whose books were selling all over the world. In 1978 he was awarded a Nobel Prize in literature. He continued writing novels and stories up until he died in 1988. His work is very important and will remain a part of literary history.
Questions
If you don't know the meaning of a word, use the internet or a dictionary to find your answer!
1. What is a rabbi?
2. What were the biggest influences on Singer's writing? (list more than one influence!)
3. What is a nobel prize? Who usually gets them?
4. Complete the timeline about Singer's life:
1904 ___________________________
______ went to Rabbinical School
1923 ___________________________
1935 He moved to America
1950 ___________________________
1978 ___________________________
______ He died
Isaac Bashevis Singer was born on July 24, 1904 in Radzymin, Poland. His parents were very religious Jews and wanted him to become a rabbi. In 1921 he went to a Rabbinical School, but left only two years later to work for a magazine as a writer. His religion was always a strong influence in his writing, but he never went back to that school.
In 1935, he moved to America. He lived in New York City and began writing for a newspaper as a journalist. His brother Joshua Singer also lived there and was also a famous writer. Isaac said his brother was his biggest influence. In 1950 Singer wrote his first book, The Family Moskat, which is the story of a Polish Jewish family before World War II. He followed this novel with a series of well-received short stories, including his most famous, “Gimpel, The Fool.”
By the 1970s, he had become a major international writer whose books were selling all over the world. In 1978 he was awarded a Nobel Prize in literature. He continued writing novels and stories up until he died in 1988. His work is very important and will remain a part of literary history.
Questions
If you don't know the meaning of a word, use the internet or a dictionary to find your answer!
1. What is a rabbi?
2. What were the biggest influences on Singer's writing? (list more than one influence!)
3. What is a nobel prize? Who usually gets them?
4. Complete the timeline about Singer's life:
1904 ___________________________
______ went to Rabbinical School
1923 ___________________________
1935 He moved to America
1950 ___________________________
1978 ___________________________
______ He died
isaac_singer_ppt.ppt | |
File Size: | 7836 kb |
File Type: | ppt |