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.