Ida Rubinstein

Born to a wealthy Jewish banking family in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Ida Rubinstein was orphaned young and inherited a fortune. This allowed her to pursue a life of artistic rebellion, ditching traditional ballet for more expressive, often provocative, dance and theatrical roles.

Rubinstein was famously unconcerned with conventional technique, instead using her striking looks, dramatic flair, and powerful stage presence to mesmerize. She famously performed "Cléopâtre" in little more than strategically placed jewels, causing a sensation, and later commissioned works from Stravinsky and Ravel, cementing her status as a muse for the avant-garde.

While her origin was undeniably Jewish, her identity was firmly rooted in the bohemian art world, far from any traditional Jewish practice. She was more likely to be found draped in exotic costumes than observing Shabbat, though her sheer chutzpah certainly had a kvell-worthy quality. Her later years saw her retreat from public life, reportedly converting to Catholicism, which, if true, means she effectively traded one dramatic performance for another.