Ir ort oyf der velt/ Her place in the world.Irena Klepfisz’s Secular Jewish Identity

This study explores the concept of Jewish secularism through the works of Irena Klepfisz, a Polish-born, New York-based Jewish poet. Rooted in the Jewish workers’ party, the Bund, activein the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Klepfi sz’s identity and poetry are examined against thebackdrop of Jewish history, secularism, and feminism. Her unique notion of secular Jewish identity,shaped by her Bundist upbringing, Holocaust trauma, and engagement with post-war feministmovements, is highlighted. Klepfisz’s poetry, especially her 1986 essay “Secular Jewish Identity”,serves as a focal point, illustrating the role of literary scholarship in forming a post-war Jewishsecular identity. This identity is enriched by her experiences as a Holocaust survivor, feminist,and lesbian. The study aims to present Klepfisz’s version of contemporary secular Jewish identity,offering insights into how her readers might resonate with her radical blend of secularism, feminism,and Jewish cultural heritage.