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“The Jewish experience is remarkable and never-ending.“ Theater is part of that experience. Minna and Mark Seitelman have a long and deep commitment to NYTF and to theater. They feel that theater and music is an essential part of furthering Yiddishkeit.
Minna has served on the Board of Directors of NYTF for ten years and is currently board secretary. She was instrumental in the partnership between NYTF and The Museum of Jewish Heritage- A Living Memorial to the Holocaust– before which, NYTF did not have a permanent home.
Longtime supporters and champions of the Folksbiene, Minna and Mark were original co-producers of Fidler Afn Dakh (Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish) when it opened at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in 2018, and saw it a record number of times (20!) They also invested in the uptown transfer production of Fiddler, which ran in the theatre district through January 2020. Minna and Mark also invested in the Broadway production of Harmony, which NYTF originally produced Off-Broadway.
In addition to NYTF, the couple are active in other community organizations. Mark is a Trustee of Park East Synagogue, and Minna has served for 15 years on the board of The Hebrew Free Burial Association, currently as Treasurer. Mark is also President of its affiliate and solely owned funeral home. Minna and Mark were recently honored as “Defenders of Israel“ by the American Friends of Laniado Hospital and served on the board of overseers of the Museum of Jewish Heritage, a Living Memorial to the Holocaust. Minna is also active in the United Jewish Appeal Federation (Lions Division), Friends of the Israel Defense Forces, and Magen David Ambulance Corps.
Mark is a personal injury attorney, a noted leader in the field, and the principal of Mark E. Seitelman Law Offices (www.seitelman.com) Minna is the office administrator. Mark is an emeritus member of the Board of New York State Trial Lawyers where he has given Continuing Legal Education courses.
Minna and Mark live on the Upper East Side and have three children and four grandchildren.
Yiddishkeit, Jewish life, and Israel, have always, and continue to be, at the center of Ellen and Peter’s lives.
Peter’s professional life began as a pulpit Rabbi. When he transitioned to business, he continued to serve the Jewish community as an interim Rabbi to various chavurot and congregations. But more significantly, for more than 40 years, he has taught the Introduction to Judaism course for the Reform movement, and introduced individuals and couples to our beautiful tradition.
Peter has had the great honor of leading FIDF (Friends of Israel Defense Forces) as its president and Chairman for eight years, and now serves as its Chairman Emeritus.
Ellen began her professional career as a teacher. While continuing to serve as a “rebbetzin” with her countless Shabbat and Holiday celebrations, she has found her passion in Interior Design and contracting.
Ellen’s beloved father Mayer z”l, is shepping nachas in the olam haba. He always spoke of Yiddishkeit as the link from generation to generation to generation- l’dor v’dor. His children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, one of whom is performing at the Gala, are testament to the unbreakable tradition that Folksbiene represents. It is with immense gratitude that Ellen and Peter accept this honor and ask everyone in attendance to support Folksbiene’s important mission.
Yosef Kogan is 13 years old and a student of Viktor Basis at the Special Music School in New York City. He has performed in venues such as Carnegie Hall, Merkin Hall and in the Prague String Festival in the Czech Republic. He won First Prize in the Young Soloist International Music Competition and the New York Young Virtuoso Competition, with the Winners’ Concert at Carnegie Weill Hall, as well as the International Clara Schumann Competition, the Lyra Music Youth Competition and the Wieniawski Prize in the String Avenue Wieniawski Competition. Yosef is always thrilled to perform with Zalmen Mlotek at the Folksbiene!
The Mamales, Raquel Fernandez, Abby Goldfarb and Jodi Synder, met while doing Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish, directed by Joel Grey at the National Yiddish Theater Folksbiene and bonded over their love for golden age music and pickles. They soon realized that singing in Yiddish together was something special and officially formed “The Mamales” at a deli on the Lower East Side in 2022.
They perform as a dynamic trio nationwide, covering Yiddish favorites, Broadway hits, beloved standards, and more. Their name is an homage to Molly Picon, the brilliant performer and lyricist, who penned the words to the group’s first cover “Abi Gezunt,” which can be found on Youtube, Spotify, and Apple Music.
Stephanie Lynne Mason is thrilled to be a part of this incredible event. Audiences may remember her as Hodl in Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish, Mirele in the staged reading of Di Kidshefmakherin and Gussie in Amerike, the Golden Land. She was also in the 2016 Broadway revival of Fiddler on the Roof where she covered the principal daughters. She made her Carnegie Hall debut in Lera Auerbach’s Vessel’s of Light, a tribute to Chiune Sugihara. Other favorite credits include Carole King in Beautiful, Guenivere in Camelot, and Louise in Gypsy as well as touring the country as Dyanne in Million Dollar Quartet. Special thanks goes to Motl, Zalmen, and her bashert, Drew.
Eli is thrilled to be singing with the Mishpokhe again. He was previously seen in NYTF’s company of Amid Falling Walls/Tsvishn Falndike Vent Off-Broadway. Other notable credits include Aaron Posner’s The Chosen (Cincinnati Playhouse, Milwaukee Rep), Ride the Cyclone (Arena Stage, McCarter Theatre), Footloose (The Muny), and Indian Summer (Bay Street Theater). TV credits include Power Book II: Ghost on STARZ. Eli earned a BFA from the University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music. He also makes music, available on all streaming platforms. Follow him on Instagram: @elimayermaynot.
Richmond, VA native Drew Seigla is a standout among theatre and opera audiences, recognized for his “stunning tenor voice” by BroadwayWorld.com. He made his Off-Broadway debut as Matt; The Mute in The Fantasticks & joined the Off-Broadway Sweeney Todd as the Standby for Anthony/Tobias/Beadle at Barrow St. Theatre. He is most known for playing Pertshik in Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish at NYTF, Stage 42 & at New World Stages where he can be heard on the Original Cast Album. Drew is an alumni from The Juilliard School with a B.A. in Music from the Vocal Arts Division. Thanks to God, Mom & Dad, and my kale, Steph.
STEVEN SKYBELL is currently starring as Herr Schultz in the Broadway revival of CABARET, for which he received a Tony Award nomination. Skybell won the 2019 Lortel Award for best performance by an actor for his portrayal of Tevye in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF in Yiddish, directed by Joel Grey. Skybell also appeared in NYTF’s Drama Desk Award Winning production of AMID FALLING WALLS. Other Broadway credits include WICKED, PAL JOEY, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, THE FULL MONTY, LOVE VALOUR COMPASSION, CAFÉ CROWN, and AH, WILDERNESS. Recent engagements: Carnegie Hall solo debut in an evening of Yiddish songs from the Holocaust; and his Lyric Opera of Chicago debut as Tevye in Barrie Kosky’s celebrated FIDDLER from the Komische Oper Berlin. Much TV and film.
Margot Weintraub is delighted to perform with Folksbiene. She made her off-Broadway debut as Amy in The Bedwetter (Atlantic Theater) and recently performed in Shabbat on Broadway at the St. James Theater. Theater: And You Shall be a Blessing (Young Cheryl), The Thing About Jellyfish (Franny), Violet (Young Violet), Between the Lines (Delilah), Meow Meow Cabaret at BAM (Orphan). Film: Smile2 (Paramount), Better Nate than Ever (Disney). TV: Hunters (Amazon). The Sunny Side Up Show (Sprout), Paw Patrol (Nick Jr.). She is grateful to Zalman Mlotek and her Grammy and Zeyde for sharing the beautiful gift of Yiddish music.
National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene
At the Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust
Edmond J. Safra Plaza
36 Battery Place, New York, NY 10280
Administration: 212-213-2120
Box Office 212-213-2120 ext. 606
