Friday, May 24, 2024
The Yiddish Book Center mourns the passing of Cyrus Klingsberg, our generous donor and stalwart friend. I had the honor of visiting Cy in College Park in mid-April. He was weaker than the last time I had seen him, but his intellect and spirit were undiminished. We spoke for more than two hours – about democracy, antisemitism, science, culture, climate change, and the future of humanity. It was one of the most profound discussions of my life, and despite the circumstances I left feeling deeply stirred and, somehow, more optimistic than I had in years. Cy was like that. He was an original thinker, erudite and fearless, and he was also a mentsh – brilliant, kind, and caring. Toward the end of his life he established the Dr. Cyrus and Vera Klingsberg Endowed Fund for Self-Education in Yiddish Language at the Yiddish Book Center. The gift could not be more visionary or timely, as interest in Yiddish continues to grow and we race to bring innovative language learning to eager students everywhere. I’m especially pleased that the Klingsberg Fund will bear the names of both Cyrus and his late wife, Vera. In our conversations, he never failed to praise her and her accomplishments. I will truly miss Cyrus, even as I’m consoled by the thought of students learning Yiddish in his and Vera’s name for generations to come. Zeykher hatsadik l’vrokhe – May the memory of the righteous be a blessing for us all. Aaron Lansky, President Yiddish Book Center Amherst
