Fyvush Finkel Remembered – David Shanske

I found out that Fyvush Finkel died early this morning at his apartment in Manhattan at the age of 93. I had been a fan of his since I had seen him on Picket Fences when I was a kid. The more I learned about him, the more I became a fan of his. On Picket Fences, in this show set in a small Wisconsin community…there is a larger than life Jewish character. I can’t say that he was acting per se…as all of Fyvush’s performances were him. He brought his presence to everything I saw him in.

There is very little I can say about him that hasn’t been said already. Even as recently as last month, he was making the news with his declaration of support for Hillary Clinton. And every few months, since the picture below as taken, I would try to attend the Yiddish Artists and Friends Actors Club events, where he would act as the Master of Ceremonies.

He was active till the end and always full of enthusiasm, which is why, despite his age, I am surprised at the news.

The best we can do at a time like this is remember, so below is a excerpt I found of one of the YAFAC events I attended, telling one of his classic jokes.