A Perspective on the Revolutionary War
in honor of the Fourth of July
by Anna Khomina, Research and Special Projects Intern, Center for Jewish History
Although the Declaration of Independence–the symbol of America’s freedom and autonomy–was signed July 4, 1776, the real battle for independence had just begun. The American Revolutionary War, fought from 1775 to 1783, came as a shock to many colonists,…
Molly Picon in Bublitchki
Year: 1938
Type: Photograph
Repository: American Jewish Historical Society
Moshe Leib-Halpern had this to say about Yiddish theater in America:
“There was once a vulgarian who went to synagogue … when he wanted to weep, and to a bawdyhouse … when he wanted to be gay. But once, when he wanted to weep and be gay at the…
Happy (Belated) Birthday, Emma Goldman!
by Melanie J. Meyers, Senior Reference Services Librarian, Center for Jewish History
“No real social change has ever been brought about without a revolution… revolution is but thought carried into action.” –Emma Goldman
Emma Goldman was an influential political thinker, anarchist and feminist. She was born on June 27, 1869 to an orthodox Jewish family…
Molly Picon
by Anna Khomina, Research and Special Projects Intern, Center for Jewish History
In 1903, at five years old, Molly Picon (1898-1992) was on her way to a Philadelphia theater for a contest. On the trolley car, a drunken passenger challenged her to perform her act on the spot, and she complied, adding on an imitation of the drunk at the end,…