Performing Arts

Gilda Radner / Abbi Jacobson & Ilana Glazer

Comic Renegades

Making Us Laugh, One Jewess Joke at a Time

Beate Sirota Gordon

Through diplomacy and ingenuity, twenty-two-year-old Beate Sirota Gordon wrote unprecedented rights for women into Japan’s post-war constitution.

Ilana Glazer

Ilana Glazer defied the odds for young female comedians by co-creating the popular and critical hit sitcom Broad City with Abbi Jacobson.

Abbi Jacobson

Frustrated by the lack of opportunities for young female comedians, Abbi Jacobson teamed up with fellow comedian Ilana Glazer to create the immensely popular Broad City.

Viola Spolin

Searching for play therapies that could reach at-risk children, Viola Spolin created the “Theater Games” that gave rise to improv theater.

Hanne Blank

Both as a historian and as a fiction writer, Hanne Blank has questioned how we relate to our bodies and our sexuality, from gender norms to fat-shaming.

Julie Schonfeld

In 2009, Rabbi Julie Schonfeld became the first female leader of an American rabbinical organization, serving as executive vice president of the Conservative movement’s Rabbinical Assembly.

"Lillian Fuchs: First Lady of the Viola," by Amedee Daryl Williams

Death of Lillian Fuchs, "one of the best string players in America"

October 5, 1995

Lillian Fuchs was "one of the best string players in America."

Death of Susan Braun, dance archivist

October 3, 1995

Artist Susan Braun made an about-face in her career in the art world and began to fill the need of documenting dance on film.

Death of Estelle Joan Sommers, “Empress of Dance”

March 21, 1994

"I have always cherished my family, Israel and dance." - Estelle Joan Sommers

Lesley Gore’s “You Don’t Own Me” Climbs Billboard Charts

February 1, 1964

"I don’t care what age you are—whether you’re 16 or 116—there’s nothing more wonderful than standing on the stage and shaking your finger and singing, ‘Don’t tell me what to do.’” - Singer Lesley Gore

Idina Menzel

A longtime star of the Broadway stage, Idina Menzel became the first person ever to claim both a Billboard Top 10 slot (for Holiday Wishes in 2014) and a Tony Award (for Wicked in 2003).

Gwyneth Paltrow

Known best for her Oscar-winning performance in the romantic comedy Shakespeare in Love, Gwyneth Paltrow has repeatedly sought out difficult roles playing unconventional women, including playing Sylvia Plath in 2003.

Sophie Okonedo

Sophie Okonedo credits her heritage as a “North London, working-class, black, Jewish girl” with giving her the range to act in roles ranging from Hotel Rwanda to Doctor Who.

Maggie Gyllenhaal

Actress Maggie Gyllenhaal has garnered critical acclaim for her performance in difficult roles in 2002’s Secretary, 2009’s Crazy Heart, and 2014’s The Honourable Woman.

Patricia Arquette

Patricia Arquette has navigated a career path from Hollywood to television and back again, culminating in a landslide of awards for her supporting role in 2014’s Boyhood.

Death of writer Sarah Brandstein Smith, “Queen of the shundroman"

April 29, 1968

“Sarah B. Smith is the most beloved Jewish newspaperwoman, the first who ever served as a reporter on a Jewish paper, and the one who has triumphantly overcome the misgivings of editors who mistrusted the abilities of a mere woman writer.”

Debut of "The Sarah Silverman Program"

February 1, 2007

“People are always introducing me as ‘Sarah Silverman, Jewish comedienne.’"

Chelsea Handler is named to Time’s 100 Most Influential People.

April 18, 2012

"A handful of years ago no one in entertainment had heard of her.” Chelsea Handler

Sasha Cohen

Figure skater Alexandra “Sasha” Cohen won a silver medal at the 2006 Olympics and popularized the difficult I-spin, which many now call the “Sasha spin” in her honor.

January 27, 2015

Parting Gifts

“I can’t die before July 28^th,” my mother said as soon as her doctor strolled into her room at Long Island Jewish Hospital. “I have theatre tickets.” Then, exhausted from the effort of uttering those two short sentences, she lay back on the pillow and shut her eyes.

Topics: Motherhood, Theater

Shirley Cohen Steinberg

Shirley Cohen Steinberg helped make the Jewish holidays fun and interactive for children with her Holiday Music Box albums, featuring “One Morning” (popularly known as the Passover “Frog Song”).

Ethel Stark

As founder of the Montreal Women’s Symphony Orchestra, Ethel Stark broke down barriers, becoming the first woman to conduct an orchestra at Carnegie Hall in 1947 and welcoming Violet Grant States as the first black woman member of a Canadian symphony orchestra.

Yasmin Levy

As a world music singer, Yasmin Levy ignited interest in the Ladino music traditions of her family, weaving Greek, Turkish, and Persian elements into her soulful performances.

Regina Spektor

With her surreal lyrics and experimental vocalizations, Regina Spektor carved a place for herself in the anti-folk music scene and went on to conquer the pop charts.

Gilda Radner / Abbi Jacobson & Ilana Glazer

Comic Renegades

Beate Sirota Gordon

Ilana Glazer

Abbi Jacobson

Viola Spolin

Hanne Blank

Julie Schonfeld

Death of Lillian Fuchs, "one of the best string players in America"

Death of Susan Braun, dance archivist

Death of Estelle Joan Sommers, “Empress of Dance”

Lesley Gore’s “You Don’t Own Me” Climbs Billboard Charts

Idina Menzel

Gwyneth Paltrow

Sophie Okonedo

Maggie Gyllenhaal

Patricia Arquette

Death of writer Sarah Brandstein Smith, “Queen of the shundroman"

Debut of "The Sarah Silverman Program"

Chelsea Handler is named to Time’s 100 Most Influential People.

Sasha Cohen

Parting Gifts

Shirley Cohen Steinberg

Ethel Stark

Yasmin Levy

Regina Spektor

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Performing Arts

Comic Renegades

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