Recognizing Jewish American Heritage Month at PNB

Compiled by Miriam Landis, a Pacific Northwest Ballet School faculty member.

Foreword

May is Jewish American Heritage Month. PNB is proud to celebrate the generations of Jewish Americans who have shaped our arts, history, and culture and continue influencing our future. Pacific Northwest Ballet is a community, and the individuals among us who bring Jewish values and heritage to life, both behind the scenes and onstage, are integral to the fabric of our work.

Jewish American Heritage Month honors those from this faith and culture who carry our legacy forward. In today’s environment, having valued Jewish community members among us can inspire others to think critically about history and envision ways to improve the future. We can ask how we respond to negative messages in the broader world beyond the studio and stage and search for ways to unite people of different faiths and cultures.

Growing up as the daughter of the only rabbi in Utah at the time, my Jewish identity presented a challenge. Over the years, that legacy has taught me to embrace my individuality, find comfort, pride, and inspiration in my ancestors’ history, and see the sacred in all people, regardless of our differences. Being Jewish has offered me a lens into the daily practice of ballet, the personal growth and commitment our art form requires, the humor and camaraderie associated with shared purpose and struggle, and most importantly, my role as a teacher and passing knowledge on to future generations. My heritage also involves preparing my own four children for their B’nai Mitzvah while educating them about antisemitism and the Holocaust.

I danced the hora at my wedding with the same spirit I brought to countless ballets while at Miami City Ballet. Today, I coach my students to do the work “with energy!” and strive to see the positive and the possibilities in all of us.

As ever,

Miriam Landis

Eva Stone

PNB School Faculty Member

What does your Jewish identity mean to you?

It means belonging to a deeply rooted tribe whose history and place in the world are still unfolding. It means honoring my ancestry and family members alongside their long and challenging journeys. It means watching my children build their identities around new ideas and philosophies and navigating how we find cultural connections to both the present and the past.

What did you learn about Judaism and Jewish culture from your family, and what was their background and heritage?

Both of my parents were raised Jewish and were deeply connected to their Jewish upbringings and communities. Although their homes were not strictly kosher, they were observant. I have photos of my father at his bar mitzvah, and my mother’s father often recited at the Temple. Unfortunately, both my mother and father chose to abandon their religious beliefs and identities, which meant I only became aware of my Jewish identity at the age of 14. My family history has been revealed in bits and pieces over my lifetime, bringing both advantages and disadvantages. I appreciate witnessing these pieces come together to form a larger picture, but I also struggle with feelings of not fully belonging because there is still so much I do not know.

How does your culture influence your work?

The Hebrew phrase “Tikkun Olam” translates to “repairing the world.” I apply this concept daily through my teaching, mentoring, and dance-making. My mission is to help every student I work with (at PNB School and beyond) see their dance journey through this lens. I tell them that dance has the power to save and heal the world and that their hard work—blood, sweat, and tears—and everything they sacrifice for dance all contribute to their role in repairing the world. I also extend this philosophy to my work and share it with anyone who asks me, “So, what do you do?” or “What was your creative process in this piece you choreographed?” I am on a choreographic journey to examine and share the life and death of my third cousin, Jacqueline Morgenstern, who was murdered in the Holocaust at age 12. So far, I have created two works inspired by her story (Shahar…According to Plan and Shouting at the Merits of Whispering), and I will continue this effort as long as I create.

What are your favorite parts of being Jewish?

Being around other Jewish people brings a sense of belonging and community (I wish it happened more often) and gives me pride in my family names. They are connected to something larger and more significant than I fully understand.

What makes you proud to be Jewish? Matzah ball soup, of course. There is nothing better!

Samuel Maifeld

Administrative Assistant

What does your Jewish identity mean to you?

My Jewish identity is an integral part of who I am. I struggled heavily with this part of my identity being adopted and never knowing (and still don’t) if biologically I am Jewish. However, I’ve come to realize that Judaism is about much more than just my genetics, it’s about culture, community, and the values we choose to carry forward. Being raised in a Jewish family, experiencing Jewish traditions, and embracing the teachings and history of Judaism have all shaped my identity in a profound way. Over time, I’ve learned that Jewish identity is as much about belonging and connection as it is about lineage.

What did you learn about Judaism and Jewish culture from your family, and what was their background and heritage?

I am a child of parents where one is Jewish and the other is not. This experience allowed me to appreciate Jewish traditions while also understanding how they connect with and differ from other cultural and religious backgrounds. Both of my parents still ensured that I was immersed in the richness of Jewish culture, whether through celebrating holidays, learning about our history, or preparing for my Bar Mitzvah at 13. My Jewish side of the family has deep Orthodox roots, as both of my grandparents were raised in Orthodox Jewish households. However, I was raised in a more Reform Jewish environment, which shaped my personal connection to Judaism in a way that felt meaningful and accessible. Having a non-Jewish parent meant that I also experienced a blend of traditions when I was with that side of my family. This gave me a broader perspective on identity and belonging, allowing me to embrace both my Jewish heritage and the diverse influences that have shaped me.

How does your culture influence your work?

Jewish culture places a strong emphasis on education, storytelling, and community, all of which influence the way I approach my work. Whether it’s through creative projects, or community engagement, I carry forward the values of lifelong learning, adaptability, and connection. My work is often rooted in bringing people together, fostering meaningful experiences, and embracing a spirit of curiosity and growth, which are all deeply tied to my Jewish identity.

What are your favorite parts of being Jewish?

One of my favorite parts of being Jewish is the deep sense of community. There’s something incredibly special about coming together with family and friends to sing, dance, and celebrate even in difficult times. That sense of connection and shared tradition has been a source of strength for me, helping me navigate some of the hardest moments in my life. I know I wouldn’t have gotten through those challenges the same way without the love and support of the Jewish community around me. The way we uplift one another, no matter what, is something I truly cherish.

What makes you proud to be Jewish?

I’m proud to be part of a people who have endured and thrived despite immense challenges. The Jewish commitment to justice, learning, and community is something I deeply admire and strive to uphold in my own life. I take pride and am inspired by the contributions Jewish people have made to the world in the arts, sciences, and social justice movements.

Tara Stepenberg

PNB Conditioning Instructor

What does your Jewish identity mean to you?

It is a place of belonging (even though I am not practicing the religion itself); it connects me vertically through time to a people and a place; it connects me to a tribe of knowing and expressing. It directly connects to the feminine principle (the Shekinah) and Ein Sof (the great emptiness or ground of being). There is no single way to be “Jewish” or express one’s Jewishness, yet there is an energetic and heartfelt link that is felt in my body, my deep home, that connects to some tribal heart. I have felt that Jerusalem is the heart of the world, and like the heart, it has room for every spiritual expression. I visited the Temple Mount in 1995, where the Dome of the Rock is. It was the most peaceful place I had ever experienced.

What did you learn about Judaism and Jewish culture from your family, and what was their background and heritage?

My mother came from a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and immigrated to the U.S. in the late 1800s (her great-grandfather was a Rabbi). My father’s family originated from Minsk and Latvia or Ukraine, arriving in the U.S. in 1904-05. My grandmother had a scythe thrown at her by a Cossack for distributing revolutionary leaflets (her cousin was Emma Goldman, so I guess that makes her my cousin, too). My grandfather trained as a Cantor, had many books about Kabbalah, and was a mystic. He and my grandmother were steeped in the knowledge and experience that Jews were social activists and involved in the arts. (Everyone in my family played an instrument; my uncle started an amateur orchestra.) My parents were social activists involved in the American Labor Party movement (I learned later that I was part of the “Red Diaper Baby” generation of activist parents) and civil rights organizations from the 1940s onward. (My mom and one brother went to Selma.) My dad served on the NAACP, YMCA, Rochester Philharmonic, and Rochester Bach Festival boards—all were very acculturated. Within my immediate family and my mom’s brother’s family (who survived the Battle of the Bulge), we were the only ones who did not celebrate holidays.  As an aside, although I have never belonged to any synagogue, for my second marriage, Shalom Carbach married us as part of a concert in Santa Fe—one of my life’s best and most profound experiences—and we stayed connected to the Orthodox community there. (My offspring from that marriage is a Mikvah baby. I enjoyed the Mikvah ritual each month, although I wished that women could use the mikva without another woman checking one for cleanliness – men can go by themselves.)

When we moved to Seattle, my son chose to attend Northwest Yeshiva High School. It was a good choice for him, and he was accepted by families even though they knew we were not part of any Modern Orthodox synagogue. I grew up in Rochester, NY, in the 1940s and 50s—a time filled with anti-Semitism. I was aware of the limitations placed on Jews regarding housing locations, restaurants, country club affiliations, quotas at Ivy League universities, and the snide comments made in schools about which high schools had larger or smaller populations of Jewish students. Because I didn’t “look Jewish” (as one high school friend noted), I was often privy to negative stereotypical comments directed at Jewish teens. Being Jewish included engaging in social activism—making the world better. My first teaching experience was at a Settlement House in Rochester.

How does your culture influence your work?

In my “work,” I have stayed in movement as a base, yet shifted back and forth from body/art focus to psyche focus, working as a dance/movement educator/performer/choreographer, to movement therapist, consciousness explorer through movement (influenced by Janet Adler, Jewish, who developed authentic movement), and somatic Pilates educator. I believe my need to work with an umbrella of body, mind, and spirit as a unified wholeness is influenced by my culture.

What are your favorite parts of being Jewish?

I love that the letters of the Hebrew Alphabet have sacred meanings. Love some of the words for the divine, “the place,” “the ground of being,” that the “sound of Alef has no sound, only the sound you make as when you begin to make every other sound”; that breath is the beginning of….; that the practice of “mitzvahs” is remembering every second that one is connected to “source,” and the miracle of life at this moment, that each moment can be a blessing; that one is deeply connected to “land,” that “Tikkun Olam” is akin to “mending the sacred hoop” and repairing the earth which includes relieving the suffering that is experienced by many, that community dance and music are deeply embedded in the cultural (whether European or Sephardic) and that’s the Buddhist way as well, hearing songs of the heart (Nigun) klezmer music, and more.

What makes you proud to be Jewish?

A significant number of Jews are artists and social activists; the emphasis on community participation has led to a substantial proportion of dance therapists and social service professionals (including many in mental health) being Jewish. I appreciate that many early modern dancers and those who participated in the Artist Work Programs of the 1930s and 40s were Jewish. Jewish choreographers embraced political themes in their art. I have worked with Daniel Nagrin and studied with Anna Sokolow, including performing her work when I was at Juilliard (OPUS ’63, a prequel to OPUS 65 which she choreographed for the Joffrey Company)  and as a member of her company performing Dreams, which reflects experiences of the Holocaust. I take pride in the role that Jews played in the development of Modern Dance through the 92nd Street Y in New York City. I remember experiencing the impressive dance companies of Israel, including the folk-dance group Inbal, which I saw when I was young in the 1950s. Despite centuries of persecution and adversity, many are eager to “stand up” and engage as a force for good in professions that seek to improve the lives of all people. (It is admittedly challenging to say this at this point in history, as the Middle East is fraught with complexities).

Ikolo Griffin

PNB School Faculty Member

What does your Jewish identity mean to you?

My mother is Jewish, my father is Black, and I fully embrace both cultures and identities—100%! Each is a vital part of who I am, shaping my experiences, values, and the way I move and dance through the world. I carry the strength, resilience, and rich traditions of both communities with pride, knowing that my identity is not divided but whole, woven together by history, love, and heritage.

What did you learn about Judaism and Jewish culture from your family, and what was their background and heritage?

My strongest connection to Judaism and my family is through Hanukkah. I love everything about it—the story of perseverance, the warm glow of the menorah, the voices of my family blending together as we sing the Hanukkah blessings. And, of course, the excitement of eight days of presents! I can still see and feel us standing together in the dimly lit kitchen, the flickering candles illuminating our faces. It was my turn to light them all, and in that moment, I felt a deep sense of belonging. It remains one of my most cherished childhood memories.

More recently, I’ve learned to make vegan latkes for my mom, who’s vegan. Watching her enjoy them, knowing they still hold the essence of our tradition, makes the holiday even more special.

Passover, too, holds a special place in my heart. Our family gatherings in Los Angeles at my uncle’s house were filled with warmth, laughter, and tradition. All of us, seated around the table, took turns reading the Haggadah, connecting with the ancient story of Exodus. The dipping of parsley into salt water was always a moment that resonated with me—the taste of tears, the hope of freedom, the weight of history in a single bite.

One of my favorite Passover memories is making chopped liver with my grandmother. Standing beside her, learning her cherished recipe, I felt the power of tradition being passed down through generations. To this day, it’s the only chopped liver I’ll ever eat—because it carries her love, her wisdom, and the essence of our family’s story.

How does your culture influence your work?

For me, being Jewish is often unnoticed and unseen. It’s a quiet, internal part of who I am—something deeply felt but not always visible to others. Because of this, I try to see people beyond what’s on the surface, especially in my work with dancers. I look beyond their technique, appearance, or first impressions and strive to understand who they truly are on the inside—their passions, struggles, and the essence that makes them unique. Just as my own identity isn’t always immediately recognized, I want others to feel seen for their full, authentic selves.

What are your favorite parts of being Jewish?

One of my favorite parts of being Jewish is the unique way we celebrate Christmas—by heading out for Chinese food and catching a movie. There’s something special about walking into a bustling Chinese restaurant, surrounded by other Jewish families sharing in the same unspoken tradition. It’s a moment of community, comfort, and a little bit of humor—knowing that while the rest of the world is at home around a Christmas tree, we’re indulging in hot dumplings and a good film. It’s a tradition that makes me smile every year and reminds me of the beautifully unique experience of being Jewish.

What makes you proud to be Jewish?

I take immense pride in being a performer who is both Jewish and Black, following in the footsteps of legends like Sammy Davis Jr. and Lenny Kravitz—artists who broke barriers and redefined culture. Being part of an ancient people with a rich history of resilience, innovation, and accomplishment fills me with deep connection and purpose. The Jewish story is one of survival against all odds, of enduring hardship, hate, and persecution while still creating, thriving, and giving to the world. The unbreakable spirit, solidarity, and boundless creativity of my Jewish community inspire me every single day.

All photos courtesy of interviewees unless otherwise noted.