Wednesday, October 14, 2026 · 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Large Meeting Room — 80 Washington St., Winchester, MA
Possession and Exorcism in Yiddish Folk Culture Join journalist and educator Rokhl Kafrissen for this exploration of the folk magic and culture of Eastern European Jewry. Among Yiddish-speaking, Eastern European Jews, possession often took the form of a dybbuk, a wandering, sinful soul trapped between worlds and seeking refuge in a living body. The history of the dybbuk is surprisingly modern, really only taking hold in the early 17th century. We will look at the figure of the dybbuk in various Yiddish stories written over hundreds of years, as well as the little known "birth" of the dybbuk in the mid-16th century. You may watch the virtual presentation in person at the library or remotely on your own device. Registration is required. This program is presented as part of the Yiddish Book Center’s Public Libraries Program, in partnership with the ALA and funded by the Lilly Endowment, Inc. For more information about the Between Two Worlds Public Libraries Program please visit the Events section of our library website.