Chicago Jewish theater drops Naomi Ragen play, says actors feared repercussions of working with her
Ragen told JTA that while it is “strange to get such a response from a Jewish venue,” particularly one whose mission statement includes Holocaust education, she is not angry
Assessment
A Jewish theater in Chicago has pulled a Naomi Ragen play because actors reportedly worried about fallout from working with her. Ragen, a novelist known for controversial views on the Orthodox community, says she is not angry, though she finds the decision odd for a venue that emphasizes Holocaust education. The move highlights how personal politics can override artistic programming even within Jewish cultural spaces. Watch whether other Jewish theaters follow suit or push back.