How does Jewish identity intersect with and influence the development, performance, and cultural reception of dance across global communities? Editors Naomi M. Jackson, Rebecca Pappas, and Toni Shapiro-Phim curate a collection of scholarly essays that examine the historical and contemporary resonances of Jewishness within diverse dance forms. By synthesizing perspectives from religious studies, secular history, and performance theory, the volume argues that Jewish identity acts as a significant, yet often overlooked, catalyst for innovation and social critique in the dance world. The contributors utilize a framework that prioritizes marginalized voices to analyze the complex relationship between movement, tradition, and identity.

Experts recognize this volume as a comprehensive and necessary intervention in the study of dance and cultural identity. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which serves as a foundational resource for scholars and students interested in the intersection of performance and Jewish history.