Consider the role of Judaism and Jewishness in The Jazz Singer and in Brighton Beach Memk about if and how the characters observe Jewish rituals, and what, if any, other cultural elements represent Jewish values to them.

Think about if and how the characters observe Jewish rituals, and what, if any, other cultural elements represent Jewish values to them.  In *The Jazz Singer* and *Brighton Beach Memoirs*, Judaism and Jewish identity are integral to the lives of the characters, but they represent different aspects of Jewishness in 1920s and 1930s America. These films explore how Jewish characters navigate the balance between maintaining cultural and religious traditions while assimilating into American society. The characters’ relationships with Jewish rituals, values, and their Jewish communities offer a nuanced understanding of the American Jewish experience during this era, reflecting both the desire for ethnic continuity and the pressures of acculturation.

In *The Jazz Singer* (1927), the central conflict centers around Jakie Rabinowitz’s struggle to reconcile his desire to be a jazz singer with his father’s expectations that he become a cantor, continuing their family’s religious tradition. Judaism is portrayed as both a source of identity and a burden for Jakie. The tension between honoring Jewish rituals and pursuing the American dream manifests in his internal conflict over whether to sing in the synagogue on Yom Kippur or follow his ambitions on the stage. Jakie’s decision to return to the synagogue when his father becomes ill suggests a compromise between the pull of tradition and the allure of modernity. Although the film ends with Jakie honoring his Jewish roots by performing on Yom Kippur, the resolution is temporary, as he still intends to continue his career in jazz. This compromise reflects the broader challenge for many American Jews in the 1920s, who sought to maintain their cultural and religious identity while achieving success in a society that often required them to suppress their Jewishness to assimilate.

The portrayal of Jewish rituals in *The Jazz Singer* is both reverent and ambivalent. Jakie’s father, a devoted cantor, represents the spiritual and cultural weight of traditional Judaism. His role as the cantor is the embodiment of Jewish ritual observance, and his expectation for Jakie to follow in his footsteps underscores the importance of continuity in the Jewish faith. However, Jakie’s pursuit of a career in jazz symbolizes a departure from these traditions, and the film presents Judaism as something that holds Jakie back from fully embracing the modern world. When Jakie adopts the stage name Jack Robin, this act of changing his name to sound more American reflects the pressures many Jews faced to assimilate and shed their ethnic identity in order to succeed in America. The broader American Jewish community in the 1920s often experienced this tension between cultural preservation and the demands of Americanization (Bloomberg, *The Jew in the Modern Age*).

By contrast, *Brighton Beach Memoirs* (1986) portrays Judaism less as a religious obligation and more as a cultural backdrop to the family’s daily life. The Jerome family, living in Brooklyn during the Great Depression, does not strictly observe Jewish rituals in the way Jakie’s family does, but Jewish values, particularly those surrounding family and community, are deeply embedded in their lives. The Jewish neighborhood in Brooklyn provides a sense of identity and belonging for the family, as their Jewishness is integrated into the rhythms of daily life, even when specific religious observance is not prominent.

Eugene Jerome’s relationship with his Jewish identity is explored through his attitudes toward his name. He dislikes his name, not because of its religious or ethnic connotations, but because, as he says, “How am I ever going to be on the Yankees with a name like that?” His frustration with his name reflects his internal conflict between his desire to fit into American culture and his inherent connection to his Jewish identity. Unlike Jakie in *The Jazz Singer*, Eugene does not change his name, but the pressure to conform to American ideals of success, embodied by his dream of playing for the Yankees, is still present. This speaks to the experience of second-generation American Jews, who grew up in a world where Jewishness was part of the fabric of daily life, but who also felt the pull to assimilate into American mainstream culture.

Judaism in *Brighton Beach Memoirs* is represented less by formal religious observance and more by the cultural and communal aspects of Jewish life. The family’s connection to their Jewish identity is not rooted in strict ritual practice, but rather in the values of familial responsibility, economic survival, and community cohesion. The Jerome family’s economic struggles during the Depression are central to the film, and each member of the family contributes to the household in some way. These struggles reflect the broader experience of many Jewish families in the 1930s, who faced economic hardship while maintaining a strong sense of identity within their Jewish communities.

The neighborhood plays a significant role in *Brighton Beach Memoirs*, as it does in *The Jazz Singer*. According to the reading from *At Home in America*, the Jewish neighborhood provided a framework in which Jews could construct a moral and associational community. These neighborhoods offered a sense of sanctuary and continuity, even as Jewish immigrants and their descendants faced the pressures of acculturation. In *Brighton Beach Memoirs*, the Jerome family’s neighborhood represents both their connection to a larger Jewish community and their aspirations for upward mobility. While the family’s economic struggles suggest that they are still on the margins of American society, the neighborhood provides a sense of security and identity, much like the Jewish communities in New York described in *At Home in America*. The neighborhood allows the Jeromes to feel both American and Jewish, with their ethnic and national identities woven seamlessly into the fabric of local life.

In *The Jazz Singer*, the Jewish neighborhood of the Lower East Side represents the old world of Jewish tradition, while Jakie’s dream of moving his family to the Bronx symbolizes upward mobility and assimilation into American culture. Similarly, in *Brighton Beach Memoirs*, the neighborhood serves as a backdrop for the family’s struggles and dreams. While Judaism is less central to the plot in *Brighton Beach Memoirs* than in *The Jazz Singer*, both films highlight the importance of the Jewish neighborhood as a space where Jews could feel both secure in their identity and free to pursue their individual ambitions.

Ultimately, *The Jazz Singer* and *Brighton Beach Memoirs* offer different perspectives on the role of Judaism and Jewish identity in the lives of American Jews during the 1920s and 1930s. In *The Jazz Singer*, the conflict between tradition and assimilation is central, with Jewish rituals and religious observance playing a major role in Jakie’s identity crisis. In *Brighton Beach Memoirs*, Judaism is more of a cultural backdrop, with Jewish values of family and community guiding the characters’ lives. Both films, however, reflect the challenges faced by American Jews as they navigated the pressures of assimilation while maintaining their connection to their heritage, echoing the experiences of Jewish neighborhoods in New York as described in *At Home in America*.  1) What is the central conflict in this film?  How is it resolved?  The central conflict in The Jazz Singer is Jakie Rabinowitz’s struggle between honoring his family traditions and his own desire for a career in show business, particularly as a jazz singer. Jakie is torn between expectations of his father who wants him to become a cantor in the synagogue and his personal ambition to perform popular jazz music. This conflict is resolved when Jakie performs jazz but also sings in the synagogue for yom kippur when his father is sick.

2) What is jazz?  Look up a definition, and explain what group or groups are usually associated with jazz.  Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African American communities of New Orleans in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Jazz is historically associated with African American Culture but later it became more popular with a broader audience.

3) Which characters in the film are immigrants?  How do you know?  How are they portrayed? Jakie Rabinowitz’s parents are immigrants. I know because of their heavy accents, their loyalty to Orthodox Jewish customs and their deep connection the the synagouge. The film portrays them as deeply rooted in tradition and conservative values. 

4) Is traditional Judaism portrayed positively or negatively in the film?  What is your evidence?  Traditional Judiasim is portrayed both positively and negatively in the film. On one hand the film respects the spiritual importance of Judiasim, especially with the portrayal of Jakie’s cantor father and the importance of yom kippur. On the other hand Judaism is also framed as something that holds Jakie back from acheiving his dreams.

5) What name does Jakie Rabinowitz take in the film?  Why?  Who else may have changed their name?  Jakie Rabinowitz takes the stage name Jack Robin in order to assimilate into mainstream American culture. Many immigrants or children of immigrants in the entertainment industry changed their name to sound more American.

6) Where specifically (city and neighborhood) does Jakie grow up?  What have you learned about that neighborhood? Jakie grows up in New York City’s Lower East Side, a neighborhood known for it’s large population of Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe in the early 20th century.

7) When Jakie returns to his home after many years away, he promises his mother that life is going to be better for the family.  Among other things, he promises to move her to a house in the Bronx.    What else does he promise her?  What do Jackie’s promises represent?  What do you think the Bronx represents?  Jakie Promises her a better life filled with financial security and comfort. His promises represent his desire to show that he has succeeded in his new career and he can provide for his family despite not following his father’s path. The bronx represents a more suburban less crowded neighborhood and it represents the American dream.

8) Mama is certainly the more sympathetic parent in the film.  Do you think that she understands Jakie?  Why or why not? Yes Mama does understand Jakie and recognizes that her son’s passion for music is important to him and is less judgemental than the father.

9) At the beginning of the film, Mama says to Papa that Jakie “has the prayers in his head but not in his heart.”  Is this true?  Why or why not?  Use specific evidence from the film to support your answer.   This statement is true because while he knows the religious traditions and prayers, they do not fulfill him in the same way jazz music does.

10) When Jack looks at himself in blackface, he says, “There’s something in my heart– the call of the ages!  The call of my race.”  What do you think this means?  Why is he saying this while wearing blackface?  How does his mother react when she sees him this way?  When Jack says this while wearing blackface he realizes how he is leaving his own identity and cultural traditions behind. His use of blackface reflects the racism of the time-period but he seems to recognize the tension between his Jewish heritage and his career in entertainment. His mother’s reaction to seeing him in blackface is one of shock and sadness, as it symbolizes her son’s complete dismissal of his Jewish roots and values.

 Here are responses to the *Brighton Beach Memoirs* questions, with specific details from the film:

1. **What are the central conflicts in the film? How are they resolved?**
– The central conflict in *Brighton Beach Memoirs* revolves around the economic struggles of the Jerome family during the Great Depression and the individual dreams of its members. Eugene, the protagonist, dreams of becoming a writer and playing baseball, while his cousin Nora wishes to become a Broadway star. The family’s financial difficulties force them to confront these dreams and prioritize survival over personal ambitions. Another conflict arises from the tension between Nora and her mother, Blanche, who is overprotective and doesn’t fully support Nora’s desire to pursue a Broadway career. These conflicts are resolved through family discussions and compromises. Nora ultimately chooses to remain with her family rather than pursue Broadway immediately, showing her acceptance of the family’s needs over her individual desires.

2. **In what way is Judaism portrayed in this film?**
– Judaism is portrayed more as a cultural influence than a strictly religious one in *Brighton Beach Memoirs*. Jewish rituals and observance are not central to the plot, but the values of family loyalty, responsibility, and perseverance reflect core Jewish cultural elements. The Jerome family’s identity as Jews is implicit in their conversations, interactions, and connection to their neighborhood, though there is little focus on religious practices or holidays. Judaism is primarily represented through their sense of community and resilience during difficult times.

3. **What is Jewish about this family?**
– The Jerome family’s Jewishness is reflected in their values, their connection to their community, and their emphasis on family. They live in a Jewish neighborhood in Brooklyn, which provides a sense of cultural continuity and support. Their struggles during the Depression, as well as their close-knit family structure, echo the experience of many Jewish families at the time, who balanced their ethnic identity with the pressures of American life. Though the family is not observant of Jewish rituals in a formal way, their sense of duty to each other and their community aligns with Jewish cultural values.

4. **Think about the names in the film. What types of names do the characters have, and what do they represent? Why doesn’t Eugene like his name?**
– The names of the characters are common Jewish names of the time, such as Eugene, Blanche, and Nora. These names reflect their ethnic heritage and connect them to their Jewish identity. Eugene dislikes his name because he feels it makes him stand out in a way that prevents him from achieving his dreams. Specifically, he says, “How am I ever going to be on the Yankees with a name like that?” This reflects his desire to fit into mainstream American society and his belief that his name, with its Jewish connotations, will hinder his success in a quintessentially American institution like the Yankees.

5. **What are the attitudes of the Jewish characters toward the non-Jewish characters, and why? Describe specific individuals and their views.**
– The film does not focus heavily on interactions between Jewish and non-Jewish characters. The Jerome family primarily interacts within their Jewish neighborhood, which reinforces their sense of community. There is little direct commentary on their attitudes toward non-Jewish people, as the film is more focused on the internal dynamics of the family and their Jewish neighbors. However, Eugene’s wish to fit into American society—evident in his desire to play for the Yankees—suggests a level of aspiration toward being part of a broader, non-Jewish world.

6. **What indicators of economic status does the family exhibit?**
– The Jerome family exhibits clear signs of financial struggle throughout the film. They live in a small house, and multiple family members contribute to the household income, including Eugene’s father and his aunt Blanche, who is widowed. The family shares their home with Blanche and her two daughters, Nora and Laurie, which adds to the financial burden. The Depression-era setting amplifies their economic concerns, and much of the family’s conflict revolves around how they will survive financially. They constantly worry about making ends meet, with tensions arising over money and opportunities.

7. **Describe the way in which each member of the Jerome family contributes (or doesn’t contribute) to the family economy. What class do they represent as a whole? Is there any potential for upward socio-economic mobility within the family?**
– Each member of the Jerome family contributes in different ways. Eugene’s father works hard to provide for the family, while Blanche, who lives with them, tries to help by finding small jobs and managing the household. Nora dreams of becoming a Broadway actress, which represents a potential path to upward mobility for the family, but her success is far from guaranteed. Eugene himself is still a teenager, but he contributes by dreaming of becoming a writer and a baseball player, hoping to eventually provide for his family. As a whole, the family represents the lower-middle class, struggling to survive during the Great Depression. While there is potential for upward mobility, particularly through Nora’s dreams of Broadway and Eugene’s aspirations, the immediate focus is on survival rather than climbing the socio-economic ladder.

8. **In *The Jazz Singer*, Jakie’s choice represented his preference for Broadway (jazz) over religion. What choice does Broadway represent for Nora and the Jerome family?**
– For Nora and the Jerome family, Broadway represents the possibility of upward mobility and financial security. Nora dreams of becoming a Broadway star, and her success would not only fulfill her personal ambitions but also alleviate some of the family’s financial struggles. However, Broadway also represents a choice between personal dreams and family responsibilities. Nora must decide whether to pursue her career or stay with her family, and ultimately, she chooses to remain with them, reflecting her sense of duty and loyalty.

9. **Who is the head of the Jerome family? Explain your answer using specific examples.**
– The head of the Jerome family is Eugene’s father, Jack Jerome. He is the primary breadwinner and makes the key decisions for the household. Throughout the film, Jack tries to maintain order and stability in the family, especially as they navigate financial difficulties. His authority is reinforced by his sense of responsibility and his willingness to make sacrifices for the family. While other members of the family contribute in different ways, Jack’s role as the provider makes him the de facto head of the household.

10. **What role does the neighborhood play? Is there a difference between what goes on inside and outside of the house?**
– The neighborhood plays a significant role in *Brighton Beach Memoirs*. It provides a sense of community and security for the Jerome family, as they live in a predominantly Jewish neighborhood where they feel a connection to their culture. Inside the house, the family’s dynamics are shaped by their personal struggles and the economic difficulties they face. Outside, the neighborhood offers a social support system and reinforces their Jewish identity. This aligns with the *At Home in America* reading, which discusses how Jewish neighborhoods in New York during this time provided both a physical and moral framework for Jewish life. Within these neighborhoods, Jews could feel both American and Jewish, as their cultural and national identities were woven into the fabric of local life.