Jewish Poets at White House

Chaim Grade, the Yiddish poet who was scheduled to recite two poems at the White House reception for poets last Thursday night, became ill after driving from New York to Washington and was confined to his hotel room, unable to participate. His wife, Inna, who is a translator, recited the translations of two of his poems in his place. The poems, both on the Holocaust theme, were entitled “The Naked Little ‘Boy’ and “At the End of the Day.” Her recitation was first greeted by stunned silence, followed by an outburst of applause. One member of the large audience, which stood in tribute, stated “my tears were more appropriate than applause.”

The Grades are both American citizens. Mrs. Grade, a Russian emigre, received her citizenship in the 1950s under special Congressional legislation. She has testified at Congressional hearings about Soviet repression.

Grade’s participation came about at the suggestion of Hyman Bookbinder. Washington representative for the American Jewish Committee, and was arranged in a few days. Bookbinder was a member of the audience for the readings. Other American Jewish poets who recited their poems included Karl Shapiro, Stanley Kunitz, David Ignatow. Ted Weiss and Philip Levine.