Galina Ulanova

Galina Ulanova was, by all accounts, a phenomenon on pointe shoes. Her portrayals of Giselle and Odette were legendary, inspiring generations of dancers and making even the staunchest Soviet official shed a single, propaganda-approved tear. Critics raved, audiences wept, and the Bolshoi Ballet became synonymous with her ethereal grace. The woman was practically a national treasure, probably more beloved than a five-year plan that actually worked.

Born to two ballet dancers in St. Petersburg, Ulanova’s pedigree was purely artistic and, as far as historical records indicate, entirely gentile. There’s no hint of a hidden menorah or a whispered Yiddish lullaby in her family tree, just a lot of pliés and pirouettes. Her career flourished under the watchful, often terrifying, eye of the Soviet regime, achieving international acclaim that transcended the Iron Curtain.

While her artistry undoubtedly brought immense pride to Russia (and anyone who appreciates unparalleled dance), it appears her contributions to kvell-worthiness for the Tribe are, shall we say, minimal. Unless one counts inspiring a generation of Jewish girls to take up ballet, only to discover their true calling was in accounting, her impact on the Jewish world was largely indirect.

So, while Ulanova danced with the soul of a thousand poets, none of them, it seems, were Yiddish ones. We appreciate the artistry, of course, but for Jewish content, we’ll have to look elsewhere. Perhaps to the guy who invented the leotard, if he happens to be Jewish.