A Jew in Ramallah and Other Essays

This wide-ranging collection of essays explores various milestones and landmarks of American music, theatre, dance—and life in general. From Elvis Presley to Kabuki, from dance to destruction, Blank dissects how culture, society and politics have intersected—sometimes for the better, often not. The title essay, written after the events of October 7, 2023, looks back on a three-month residency in Ramallah in 2013 and how this insight and experience has shaped Blank's understanding of both art and conflict. Blank’s long career as a working artist in multiple sectors lends this collection a unique authority and searing insight that is both refreshing and much needed. In addition, in an exclusive interview with her partner Ishmael Reed, Blank explains how a curious young Jewish woman from Pittsburgh developed into a committed and eloquent public intellectual.