essay

Drama on a table: the Bobover Hasidim PIREMSHPIYL

Judaism viewed from within and without : anthropological studies, edited and with introductions by Harvey E. Goldberg • Albany, N.Y. • Published In 1987 • Pages: 195-217

By: Epstein, Shifra.

Abstract

In this work Epstein examines the Purim celebration as a cultural performance in a contemporary Jewish community -- that of the Bobover Hasidim in Boro Park, Brooklyn, N.Y. Of particular significance in this study is the focus on the Purim plays called PIREMSHPIYL. The performance of the PIREMSHPIYL plays are examined in detail in order to show the inversion of cultural behavior that is sometimes inherent in certain aspects of the Purim celebration and its relevance to the Bobover situation (p. 196). Epstein's discussion of the plays involve many facets of production including stage settings, actors, the audience, musical accompaniment and relationship to the literature of martydom from which many of the themes of the plays are borrowed.

HRAF PubDate

1996

Region

North America

Sub Region

Regional, Ethnic and Diaspora Cultures

Document Type

essay

Evaluation

Creator Type

Ethnologist

Document Rating

5: Excellent Primary Data

Analyst

John Beierle ; 1995

Field Date

1976-1979

Coverage Date

variable

Coverage Place

Bobover; Boro Park, Brooklyn, N.Y., United States

Notes

Shifra Epstein

Includes bibliographical references (p. 216-217)

LCCN

86005877

LCSH

Jews