Stars of David: A Cultural History of the American-Israeli Relationship

How does US culture affect Israel? How does Israeli culture affect the US? What types of art, music, and movies have become transnational? How has American religious identity and celebrity influenced Israeli culture? This... [ view full abstract ]

How does US culture affect Israel? How does Israeli culture affect the US? What types of art, music, and movies have become transnational? How has American religious identity and celebrity influenced Israeli culture? This presentation will explore a section of Professor Shalom Goldman's new book on the cultural relationship between the US and Israel. From 1957-1967 artists and authors like Frank Sinatra, Leon Uris, John Steinbeck, and Robert Capa developed strong positive attitudes towards the establishment and support of a Jewish state in the Middle East. Their work both in the US and in Israel left an indelible mark on both countries' cultures, forming a relationship that connected history and religion with celebrity and culture. This presentation will look into their work and others and their impact on the US-Israeli cultural relationship.