Menachem Kipnis

Menachem Kipnis (1878 – May 15, 1942) was a singer, critic, journalist, humorist, and photographer. He was also an ethnographer of Yiddish songs. As a tenor, Kipnis was a common performer of Yiddish songs.

He was born in Zhytomyr, Volhynian Governorate.

Together with his wife Zimra Zeligfeld he toured with concerts of Yiddish folk songs in Poland, France, and Germany. He later published these tales in the book Khelemer mayses (Chelm Stories; Polish transcription: Chelemer Majses, 1930). In additional to the Chelm column, he published feuilletons and authoritative articles on Jewish music, as well as reviews of music and theater in Haynt and other Jewish press, sometimes under pen name "Pan Mecenas" (Mr. Attorney). Jidisze klezmer in Pojln (Jewish Klezmer in Poland) Barimte jidisze muziker (Famous Jewish Musicians) Fun primitiwn folkslid biz der jidiszer simfoniszer muzik (From Primitive Folk Song to Jewish Symphonic Music) Za kulisami Warszawskiej Opery (1902-1918) (Behind the Scenes of the Warsaw Opera (1902-1918))