Jeffrey Veidlinger Livres

In the Midst of Civilized Europe is an extensively researched account of a forgotten history.

This book is the first in English to explore the compelling and tragic history of the Moscow State Yiddish Theater, established in 1919 and dissolved by the Soviet government in 1949. Contrary to the common belief that the Soviet regime sought to eradicate Jewish culture, it is revealed that from the 1920s through World War II, secular Yiddish culture was actively promoted, with Yiddish institutions thriving under state support, albeit for propaganda purposes. Utilizing newly accessible archives, Jeffrey Veidlinger narrates the story of this premier secular Jewish cultural institution, illustrating how Jewish artists and writers navigated Soviet nationality policies to foster Jewish national culture. A talented ensemble, including Solomon Michaels, brought to life various themes through performances that encompassed shtetl tales, biblical narratives, and contemporary dilemmas, all framed within socialist realism. However, after World War II, the theater and many of its key figures became victims of Stalinist antisemitism and xenophobia. Enhanced by rare photographs of the theater's artists and performances, this work illuminates a complex chapter in the history and culture of Soviet Jewry.