Chicago Jewish theater drops Naomi Ragen play, saying actors feared repercussions of working with the Israeli writer
Naomi Ragen, the New York-born Israeli novelist and playwright known for her portrayals of Orthodox Jewish women in crisis, says the cancellation of a planned Chicago revival of one of her plays represents a “return…
Assessment
A Jewish arts company in Chicago shelved a revival of Naomi Ragen's "Women's Minyan" because cast and crew feared professional fallout from working with the Israeli playwright. Ragen, 77, calls the decision McCarthyism, and the artistic director's email confirms a chilling dynamic: artists now weigh political reputations against artistic work. The episode signals how Israel-related cultural projects face internal pressure within Jewish institutions themselves. Watch whether other companies follow suit or push back.