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I had the pleasure once again of connecting with Rich Michelson and Leonard Nimoy. I asked if I could interview them regarding their new venture in writing. I learned that after careful planning, they embarked on a new adventure—sharing an audio book with listeners across the globe. The author of the book, “Too Young for Yiddish” is Richard Michelson. The reader for the audio version is Leonard Nimoy. I listened to the audio version then perused through the book and found the story to be quite enlightening. Even though it’s meant to be a children’s book, as an adult I did learn from it. The story focuses on Jewish practices and language. I think you’ll find it to be “fascinating.” Good day, Richard. I’m interested in learning more about your book, “Too Young for Yiddish.” I have a few questions here for you. I’m sure others out in the vast world we live in would love to hear about your trials and triumphs related to your life and your work. So, without further adieu…. 1) Tell me a little about your life, your background (anything you’d like to share that’s not already on your website). I was born in East New York, Brooklyn, and later moved to Wantagh, Long Island. My Dad had a hardware store, Michelson Bros., which was his father’s before him. I’ve written a number of poems and children’s books based on my old neighborhood, and much of my work is concerned with passing down stories from generation to generation. 2) What drew you into the world of art? I did not have exposure to art during my childhood. To help save money for college, I happened to get a job as a traveling salesman selling fine art reproductions. I toured the country for 3 years, and after a time, I began visiting museums to see the originals of the merchandise I was selling. I was introduced to a world I knew nothing about, but I loved it immediately and knew that this would be my future. 3) Tell me how you got your gallery business off the ground? I was tired of traveling and selling reproductions. I wanted to work with contemporary artists, and help build their careers. I gave notice, and my boss, who had become a friend, asked me to stay on. We settled the matter with a ping-pong match. I promised to stay if he won, and he promised seed money to start my own gallery, if I won. He was good to his word! 4) What challenges have you faced and overcome or possibly not overcome in relation to the gallery business? I started small with young, unknown artists, and grew bit by bit. My first “real artist,” was Barry Moser, and after a number of years, I was able to take on Leonard Baskin, my first artist with a national reputation (though by that time, Moser also had a large growing following). I now represent over 150 artists, many well known, and including, of course, Leonard Nimoy. 5) Why did you pick Massachusetts to open a gallery in and not New York? My first gallery was actually in Champaign, Illinois; and the second in Boulder, Colorado. I wanted to get back east, but having grown up in NYC, during a depressed time in the city’s history, I did not want to move back to Brooklyn, and I could not afford a space in Manhattan.

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