Israel’s Zangwill; or, The Return of the King of Schnorrers

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This article explores Israel Zangwill’s posthumous presence in Israeli culture, as reflected in various media and discursive arenas: press coverage of his death and Yahrzeits; trends in the translation, publication and staging of his works; the inauguration of streets bearing his name; and references to his views and legacy in various political debates. Demonstrating how the tensions and contradictions so typical of Zangwill’s persona were interpreted by cultural commentators or appropriated by opposing political camps, the first part of the article traces and contextualises Zangwill’s gradual disappearance from the Israeli cultural mainstream. The second part then moves on to consider Zangwill’s unexpected comeback in 2021, when a musical production of The King of Schnorrers, adapted by Nati Brooks, was staged in Tel Aviv. While the renewed interest in Zangwill’s work is rooted specifically in the playwright’s Anglo-Jewish background, the production employs Zangwill’s 1790s Jewish London to consider ethnic tensions in present-day Israel.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)34-49
Number of pages16
JournalEuropean Judaism
Volume57
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Sep 2024

Keywords

  • Israel Zangwill
  • Israeli culture
  • Israeli theatre
  • Nati Brooks
  • The King of Schnorrers

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cultural Studies
  • History
  • Religious studies
  • Philosophy
  • Applied Psychology

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