eblasts

Last week, the Jewish world and beyond mourned the loss of Chaim Topol, internationally acclaimed actor, artist and humanitarian.                         
​​​​​​​(See:  https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2023/mar/09/topol-obituary  )

His most famous role was that of Tevye the village milkman in Fiddler on the Roof, in both the stage version (which he performed over 3500 times) and film production, based on the writings of Sholom Aleichem. The 1971 film directed by Canadian Norman Jewison received 8 Academy Award nominations, including best actor for Topol.  One critic referred to his role as Tevye, “as a living memorial to the comic genius of a tragic people”.

I had the privilege of working closely with Chaim Topol when he attended the March of the Living, serving as an eloquent MC for the memorial ceremony in Auschwitz-Birkenau on Yom Hashoah. His stirring narration and evocative singing will be forever remembered by those who were fortunate to attend the March of the Living with him.
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His heartfelt singing of Eli,Eli on the 2012 March of the Living may be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCBCIFwOy-M                                  
​​​​​​​Eli Rubenstein 

Chaim Topol (left) on the 2011 March of the Living with Survivor Branko Lustig, producer of Schindler’s List.