Fiddler on the Roth: A Post-Charlottesville Reinterpretation of Fiddler on the Roof

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2023

Department 1

Philosophy

Department 2

Judaic Studies

Abstract

Fiddler on the Roof, the stage and screen adaptation of Sholem Aleichem’s stories about Tevye the dairyman, is a cultural touchstone of the non-orthodox American Jewish community. Debuting on Broadway in 1964 and on the big screen in 1971, the story of the residents of the small Russian-Jewish town, or shtetl, of Anatevka appeared during a time of cultural pride movements from Black Pride to women’s liberation to Puerto Rican Pride and the beginning of Gay Pride. As groups of all sorts embraced their identities, Fiddler presented Jews with the opportunity to celebrate their heritage in the public mainstream and was celebrated by many Jews. [excerpt]

Required Publisher's Statement

This article is available from the publisher's website.

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS