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Abstract:

The article is devoted to poorly studied relationships of Maxim Gorky and the Russian-Jewish writer Sholom Aleichem (Solomon Rabinovich) belonging to the democratic intellectuals grouped around Gorky publishing house “Znaniye”. Sholom Aleichem who became known in Russia under this pseudonym as the author of short stories since 1901, he knew the Russian culture well and was inspired by its democratic ideals, and his first works have been written in Russian. In 1901 the writer worked on the translating works of Moyer-Sforim into Russian for the anthology initiated by Gorky. In 1903  Sholom Aleichem has addressed L. Tolstoy, Chekhov, Gorky with the proposal to take part in the collection works to help the victims of the Chisinau disorder of 1903. The best Russian writers and publicists issued an energetic protest against atrocity of thugs. The collection appeared under the name “Help”. Gorky and Sholom Aleichem’s acquaintance took place in 1904, the impression of acquaintance with Gorky was enormous. In 1909, the Moscow  publishing house “Contemporary Problems” began to publish a collection of works by Sholom Aleichem in Russian, received by criticism very warmly. In 1910, Gorky welcomed the Jewish writer with the well-known letter of April 21, 1910 in which the talent of Sholom Aleichem was voiced. Gorky kept this attachment and good memory to the end of his days. He mentioned Sholom Aleichem at the First Congress of the Soviet writers, calling him exceptionally talented satirist and the humorist.

Keywords: Gorky, Sholom-Aleichem, interrelations, intellectuals, Jewish writers, collection “The Help”, democracy.