Aleichem lived a topsy-turvy life. His family was well-to-do, but when Sholom was young, his father lost everything. Somehow he managed to go to the university, and subsequently, was hired as a tutor by a wealthy Jewish family. He became a man of means, once again, when he married the family's oldest daughter and was heir to the family riches when his father-in-law died.

As a rich man, he moved to Kiev and spent his afternoons writing stories for Yiddish publications, and at that time, changed his name. He also became involved in the financial market and, in 1890, he lost everything he had. His mother-in-law bailed him out of his predicament and he left Russia. This was Aleichem's lot in life. Throughout the years, he continued to have ongoing problems. While he was a successful writer, he failed many times in the business world. However, to this day he is important as a writer of wonderful stories and characters, most notably, Tevye, made popular by the Broadway musical and movie, Fiddler on the Roof.

Highlight of the documentary are the historical pictures and those who bring witness to his life such as his own granddaughter, Bel Kauffmann, a writer herself (Up the Down Staircase) who add to the interest of Sholom Aleichem's history. Aleichem's work is read by Peter Riegert, Rachel Dratch and Jason Kravits, narrated by Alan Rosenberg.

I found one thing missing in the documentary; I kept wondering what was happening to his family during all of the years that he was moving around from place to place and how they survived with the turmoil in his life.

This film is not rated. Running time is 94 minutes. In English and Yiddish with English subtitles.