A Brief Biography of Ana Sokolow - 1470 Words

Through her cultural influence on dance, as well as her impact on reinventing dance itself, Anna Sokolow has gone down in history as one of the great modern dancers. Her Jewish roots were a huge basis for the dances she would perform and the messages that she would try to get across, which is significant to me and my own similar religious views. It was important for dancers and choreographers to speak up for what they believe in and disseminate their message throughout the world of the arts, and Sokolow was one of those who did this with great success. Through her unique style of movement, her eye-opening piece Rooms, and her own personal connection to Judaism, Anna Sokolow’s inspirations and works come together to address a powerful issue†¦show more content†¦Rigid limbs scissor and stretch, bare feet slide rapidly back and forth, torsos spasm and curl,’† (Strauss and Nadel). Ultimately she was able to get across a sense that resonated with her audience and truly made them feel for the Jewish immigrants who struggle to integrate into American society. Urban alienation, specifically related to Jewish people in America, was an important issue to Anna Sokolow because of how connected she felt to it. Her parents were Jewish immigrants who struggled to adapt to American life. It was never easy for her mother and father to fully become welcomed members into society, and they really struggled to earn a living just like a lot of the other Jewish immigrants in tenements after the war. Sokolow’s mother was a big inspiration to her and her dances because during her mother’s struggles she still held a strong connection to her Jewish culture and roots. She did this by â€Å"keeping a kosher kitchen, observing Jewish holidays, and lighting Shabbat candles every Friday night,† (Jewish Virtual Library). Sokolow herself also had a strong connection to Judaism as a result of her mother’s dedication. It was very important for her to disseminate the message of Jewish struggles in America and in Germany during the Holocaust. She most successfully did this through her piece Dreams, which showed her audience the horrors of the Holocaust. Sokolow worked hard to raise this awareness among