A Revolutionary Curtain Call: Yiddish Theatre, the Jewish Enlightenment, and the Russian Revolution

This paper explores the impact of Yiddish Theatre in Moscow and broader Russia in the era of the Russian Revolution as a Jewish cultural and political force. The intersection of the Russian Revolution and the Jewish Haskalah reformation created the space for Yiddish theatre, a cultural movement combining Jewish identity with revolutionary ideals, to thrive. Yiddish theatre became a space for community discourse and political critique during Stalin’s rule, preserving Russian-Jewish cultural identity amid growing Soviet hostility. By examining the Russian Jewish community and its relationship to Russian government and society through the lens of Yiddish theatre, this paper reveals the lasting impacts of Yiddish theatre on Jewish history and on broader theatre history. Research utilizes specific theatrical choices and interpretations by artists such as Marc Chagall and Solomon Mikhoels, highlighting the Moscow State Yiddish Theatre, to illustrate the history of Yiddish theatre and Russian-Jewish identity. Through scholarly analysis, historical photographs, audience reviews, and the writings of prominent Yiddish theatre artists, this paper illuminates Yiddish theatre as a profound example of artistic and political resistance, showcasing how theatre preserves community identity through changing historical landscapes. Keywords: Yiddish Theater, Russian Revolution, Haskalah Part of the panel: Tools of Resistance and UnityModerator: Professor William York