Perspectives on Yiddish Cultural Evolution and Its Legacy: Visual Arts, Theatre, and Songwriting Between Assimilation and Identity. A Case Study

The Pogrom of Odessa was a turning point in Yiddish history, alimenting a complex emigration phenomenon marked by various, controversial phases. What has remained of that culture? How did it evolve and meld with New York culture and artistic milieu? Why was the contribution of Jewish artists and thinkers so important?

How can we better understand this process, its paradigms and stages? This project addresses these problems by studying the work of artist Norman Raeben as a case study.

Though many scholars highlighted the importance of his figure, especially for his influence on Stella Adler and Bob Dylan’s careers, his work, ideas, and legacy have yet to be studied.

Such a bibliographic lack is directly related to the absence of editions of his writings and paintings, which are still in the hands of students and collectors, often risking damage.

Thus, the project aims to: create the collection of Raeben’s materials and a digital archive of his papers and works; study his influence on first, second, and third-generation Jewish American artists, actors, and songwriters (focusing on Stella Adler, Bob Dylan, and Jacques Levy); open new perspectives on Eastern Yiddish culture and its rebirth and evolution in New York, addressing and questioning the problems of identity, assimilation, gender, and cultural and artistic paradigms till the present day.

Due to my markedly multidisciplinary research experience, my profile is particularly suitable to carry out this project, which can allow me to increase my research expertise in a trans-disciplinary way.

While learning how to realize digital archives and curate exhibitions can make me a more all-round academic, collaborating at Columbia University and Ca’ Foscari University with leading scholars in different fields – including Yiddish studies, theatre, music, visual arts, and digital humanities – will significantly improve my knowledge and increase my networks and chances to obtain other research positions and an ERC grant.