Although the various hues of the Jewish lifestyle as connected to food and prayer are often explored in art shows and exhibits, it is not often that the culture’s history with dance takes center stage.
“Dance to Belong: A History of Dance,” currently on display at 92NY, does just that: the exhibit sheds light on the Jewish community’s relationship with movement through the use of photos, digital media, archived posters, Playbills and more.
The site of the production is not a random one: according to an official press release, all things dance have been part and parcel of 92NY’s ethos since the space first opened as the Young Men’s Hebrew Association back in 1874.
“This singular exhibit illuminates 92NY’s historical importance as a sanctuary space in which dance history is made,” reads the release. “Immigrants, BIPOC, and Jewish dance artists from 1874, when 92NY first opened its doors, to 2024 have made 92NY home. In its early years, 92NY was one of the only places that offered access to dance studios, classes, lectures, and performances for people of all racial, ethnic, religious, or cultural backgrounds.”
According to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, the free exhibit—which will be on display in the Kaufmann Concert Hall lobby next to the Weill Art Gallery through December 31—explores the subject at hand across different themes, from education and community building to Israeli folk dance deep dives and the connections between the Black dance community and the Jewish one.
And if dancing is just not your thing, worry not: 92NY is home to a whole slew of interesting programs, from exhibits to talks, readings and more. Browse through them all right here.
