Professor David Peimer
The Cult of Horror: Dybbuk and Golem
Summary
David Peimer delves into the topic of The Dybbuk (1937) and The Golem (1920), exploring their significance in Jewish history and tradition. In the context of the 21st century, the discussion revolves around the coexistence of rationality and belief in mythical creatures. The focus is on Ansky’s play The Dybbuk, its adaptations, and the symbolism of The Golem, with connections to contemporary films and literature.
Professor David Peimer
David Peimer is a Professor of Literature, Film and Theatre in the UK. He has worked for the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, New York University (Global Division) and was a Fulbright Scholar at Columbia University. Born in South Africa, David has won numerous awards for playwriting and directing in New York, UK, Berlin, EU Parliament (Brussels), Athens, Budapest, Zululand and more. He has most recently directed Dame Janet Suzman in his own play, Joanna’s Story, at London Jewish Book Week. He has published widely with books including: Armed Response: Plays from South Africa, the digital book, Theatre in the Camps. He is on the board of the Pinter Centre (London), and has been involved with the Mandela Foundation, Vaclav Havel Foundation and directed a range of plays at Mr Havel’s Prague theatre.
I think it was two.
Originally, it is mentioned in the Bible and in the Psalms as an unformed, unfinished material. Dust or clay or mud. It’s not quite formed into a human body.
Perhaps in the 1600s and 1700s, yes. Not a literal, but a spiritual belief. Part of a bigger picture of how to understand things which could not be rationally explained. You know, misfortune, disease, plague or pogroms, violence, antisemitism, hate, things that could not be rationally explained.