Season 4, Episode 4
In this episode, presented in collaboration with Hebrew College, we begin by exploring two poems from the second half of the 19th century by prominent American poets. One, "The Jewish Cemetery at Newport" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, is generally thought to have been written during a visit to Newport in 1852 and was then published in 1854. The other, a response to that work by Emma Lazarus called "In the Jewish Synagogue at Newport," was likely written in 1867 and then published in 1871.
Rabbi Dan Judson, Provost of Hebrew College, discusses how the poem by Lazarus both builds upon and deviates from Longfellow's poem. He also shares about the artistic and ideological journey that Emma Lazarus, as a Jewish American writer, took over the course of her career, using her poem "The Banner of the Jew," published in 1882, as an entry point to understand this journey, and touches on the ways in which her evolution speaks to Jewish identity in America and the American experience overall.
Support for this episode is provided in part by A More Perfect Union: The Jewish Partnership for Democracy.
Read the transcript for "At Newport."
THE TEAM
Hosted by Aaron Henne
Scholarship provided by Rabbi Dan Judson, PhD
Edited by Mark McClain Wilson
Story editing for the podcast by Julie A. Lockhart with Aaron Henne
Featuring the voices of Joe Jordan, Mark McClain Wilson, and Rebecca Rasmussen
Theme music composed by Michael Skloff and produced by Sam K.S.
Transcription by Dylan Southard
"At Newport" Learning Resources
Learn more about:
“The Jewish Cemetery at Newport” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
“In the Jewish Synagogue at Newport” by Emma Lazarus
“The Banner of the Jew” by Emma Lazarus
Songs of a Semite by Emma Lazarus
“The New Colossus” by Emma Lazarus
Referenced in the episode:
“Paul Revere’s Ride” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
The Song of Hiawatha by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Daniel Deronda by Mary Ann Evans writing as George Eliot
The Jewish State by Theodor Herzl
Liberty Enlightening the World (The Statue of Liberty)
Related episodes on The Dybbukast:
The Chronicles of the Rabbis with Dr. Jonathan D. Sarna
Watch with captions on YouTube:
ABOUT OUR EPISODE PARTNER
Hebrew College is reimagining Jewish learning and leadership for an interconnected world, making our lives more meaningful, our communities more vibrant, and our world more whole. Founded in 1921, Hebrew College embraces a mission that connects serious academic study of Judaism with the educational needs and challenges of the community through our outstanding graduate, community and youth learning, and professional development programs. No ivory tower, Hebrew College strives to be a modern equivalent of Abraham’s tent, with all sides open to anyone who wishes to join our passionate pursuit of Jewish education.