By Teigan Goldsmith Hitsman

For nearly two decades, Yiddish theatre flourished in Ottawa through the passion, creativity, and dedication of Die Folkshpieler, the Soloway JCC’s (SJCC) Yiddish Players. What began as a small weekly gathering at the Chapel Street JCC in 1998 evolved into one of Ottawa’s most beloved expressions of Yiddish language and culture.

The story began with “The Yiddish Hour,” an innovative program led by Shirley Steinberg that brought participants together to learn and practise Yiddish through conversation, storytelling, songs, and improvisational games. When the SJCC opened later that year, the group expanded and welcomed new members from across the community.

Over the following years, the program grew into a series of performances known as Gelechter un Gezang (“Laughter and Song”). Encouraged by growing attendance and enthusiasm, the group officially became Die Folkshpieler in 2002, with sponsorship from the SJCC. Comprised of mature amateur actors united by a love of Yiddish culture, the troupe set out to bring ambitious Yiddish theatre productions to Ottawa audiences.

Die Folkshpieler debuted their first formal production, Alles in Eynem (“Everything in One”), in 2003. Over the next 14 years, the troupe produced an impressive annual lineup of original and adapted works celebrating humour, family, tradition, and Jewish life. Productions included Men Darf Lachen (“One Has to Laugh”), Mispocha Michegas (“Family Foibles”), Abi Gezunt (“Only Good Health”), and A Neie Velt (“A New World”).

In 2012, the group marked its 10th anniversary with Fun Necht’n Biz Heint (“From Yesterday to Today”), a retrospective featuring highlights from many of their most popular performances. Their final production, S’iz Besser in Yiddish (“It’s Better in Yiddish”), was staged in 2015.

At the heart of Die Folkshpieler was Shirley Steinberg, who served as script writer, director, producer, organizer, and creative force behind the productions. A former New Yorker, Steinberg was already well known in Ottawa Jewish cultural life through her leadership of the Israella Singers and the Shir-Am Choral Group. Her vision helped create a vibrant space where Yiddish language and culture could thrive for new generations.

The legacy of Die Folkshpieler continues through archival materials preserved by the Ottawa Jewish Archives, including scripts, programs, photographs, and production records donated by Shirley Steinberg and others connected to the troupe. These materials document not only the history of a theatre group, but also the enduring importance of Yiddish culture in Ottawa’s Jewish community.

Die Folkshpieler is a testament to the power of community theatre, cultural preservation, and the joy of bringing Yiddish language to life on stage.

To get a taste of Die Folkshpieler’s talents, you can find their performance of Fun Necht’n Biz Heint on the Ottawa Jewish Archives’ YouTube channel here. 

-- Teigan Goldsmith Hitsman is the Archivist at the Ottawa Jewish Archives.