MARCH 17 • 2022 | 35
This production offered a group of 14 musical theater stu-
dents from the University of Michigan School of Music, Theater
& Dance a different educational opportunity — the chance to
perform alongside Broadway actors in a production led by a
professional creative team, including Broadway director Sarna
Lapine, music director Andy Einhorn, and lead actors Chuck
Cooper (Tevye) and Loretta Ables Sayre (Golde). And did they
deliver, with a marvelous performance by all!
In this age, where, according to the Anti-Defamation League
(ADL), antisemitism is at an all-time high since tracking began
in 1979, seeing classical old Yiddish-language stories of Sholem
Aleichem, acted on stage by people of diverse backgrounds, eth-
nicities and beliefs, was nothing short of remarkable.
Fiddler on the Roof explores the tension between tradition and
evolving norms in Anatevka, a poor Jewish shtetl (village), in
early 20th-century Russia. Tevye — the dairyman — extols the
traditions that govern Anatevka, as he dreams of a more com-
fortable existence and seeks to arrange favorable marriages for
his daughters. His daughters, on the other hand, long to depart
from tradition, and the shtetl faces imminent threats to its exis-
tence from pogroms — the deadly antisemitic massacres that
displaced scores of Jewish communities in Czarist Russia.
Seeing an African American actor portray Tevye and a per-
former of Asian descent play Golde, in addition to the diverse
backgrounds of key student actors, was transformational. It
allowed audiences of all backgrounds, faiths and religions to
relate, connect and explore Jewish culture and story through
their personal lenses.
I believe that the Jewish story is not only our story — it
is ours to share, expand and cultivate a willing audience to
embrace it. Whether through their personal or professional
experience, that is what Fiddler on the Roof provided.
UMS President VanBesien told me that student actors of
different faiths struggled with what they perceived as their
inability to adequately present a culture not their own and
their concern in expressing it. Through their struggle and
educational journey, they allowed us, the audience, to con-
template our own approach to the story and journey of the
characters. It was apparent, appreciated and embraced by the
audience.
The story extends beyond the performers, and the over-
whelming presence of young Jewish professionals from Metro
Detroit shows how community, passion and philanthropy
come together:
• Community, the NEXTGen-age professionals came
together to learn, engage and get involved in building and
invigorating a post-pandemic Jewish community.
• Passion, seeing how the passion for the arts and culture
through involvement with UMS, students and professionals
alike led with their hearts and enthusiasm.
• Philanthropy, seeing our philanthropic dollars invested in
the arts and having Nicole Lester and her parents present to
share her family’s love and commitment to the arts and build-
ing a vibrant, invested and forward-thinking community.
On behalf of everyone in attendance, we would like to
thank Matt and Nicole Lester for making this evening pos-
sible. Through Matt’s role as Jewish Federation of Metro
Detroit President, he made it possible to connect, explore and
act on all three elements above. May we be so lucky to contin-
ue engaging meaningfully, as an inclusive community, in the
areas that we’re passionate, committed and united to support
philanthropically.
LEFT TO RIGHT:
Joshua Goldberg,
Sammy Dubin, Ilana
Block, Adam Block,
Shimon Levy, Daniel
Warsh, Ryan Warsh.
LEFT TO RIGHT:
Evening sponsor
Nicole Lester and
her guest Ashley
Adelman.
UMS President
Matthew
VanBesien
speaking to
the reception
guests.