Today in Yiddishkayt… July 11

Yortsayt of Leyb Opeskin, Partisan Songwriter

Partisan fighters

Leyb Opsekin was born on January 1, 1908 in Vilna. Before the outbreak of World War II, Opeskin had been a member of the Communist Party. He later joined the פֿאַראײניקטע פּאַרטיזאַנער אָרגאַניזאַציע (United Partisan Organization- FPO), which was established in the Vilna ghetto in 1942. They cooperated with the Soviet partisans, helping to fight against the Nazis in the forests around Vilna. Opeskin was one of a number of poets and writers who began to write songs to promote the partisan cause and provide morale for the fighters. Most of the partisan songs dealt with the themes of heroic bravery, the endurance of the Jewish nation in the face of their enemies, and revenge against them. A number of the songs are still sung today, including Opeskin’s פֿאַר װאָס איז דער הימל? (Why was the sky?). Opeskin also wrote several poems dedicated to the Soviets, in anticipation of their victory over the Germans. One such poem is entitled “To the Red Tankman”.

In the summer of 1944 the partisans in Vilna increased their harassment of the Germans and Opeskin was killed on July 11,1944, in one of the last battles before the liberation of the city.

Listen to Louis Danto sing Opeskin’s פֿאַר װאָס איז דער הימל? (Why was the sky?):

Say, why was the sky yesterday so much lighter,
And each street with joy did resound?
And why is the sun, which has shone so much brighter,
So angry and not to be found?
And why is the sun, which has shone so much brighter,
So angry and not to be found?

The heavens, the house and the street are all crying,
The heart mourns the past silently.
We cannot forget–there can be no denying,
The happy hours that used to be.

Away with your tears now, forget all your sorrow,
For mourning is the not the right way.
It could be that soon–it’s sure that tomorrow
The sunshine will brighten the day!