Editor’s note: In the wake of the passing of the beloved actor Chaim Topol, known for his iconic portrayal of Tevye in the classic musical “Fiddler on the Roof,” we are resharing this story from 2021.
Topol’s performance in “Fiddler on the Roof” has had an immeasurable impact, bringing the story of a Jewish family living in pre-revolutionary Russia to audiences around the globe.
Topol’s portrayal of the humorous yet deeply empathetic Tevye captured the hearts of audiences everywhere and became synonymous with the character.
The film adaptation of “Fiddler on the Roof” featuring Topol was released in 1971 and it continues to be a beloved classic today.
Chaim Topol will always be remembered as the original Tevye, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations of actors and audiences alike.
“Question: if you were not raised Jewish (in any way shape or form), did you see Fiddler on the Roof at any point in your life? School productions count. I’m trying to see something here,” @oliviamdh asked her Twitter followers on Sunday morning.
Just a few hours later, the post started to go viral. Olivia said she was trying to see if non-Jewish people were exposed to “Fiddler” in the same way Jewish people were.
It appears the answer was a pretty resounding yes.
The tweet elicited hundreds of replies. Many were stories of non-Jews who have a unique connection to the musical.
And the love of “Fiddler” isn’t just in the USA. One Twitter user said she grew up listening to it in Jamaica.
Another in Botswana.
Many people admitted in their responses that they didn’t even realize it was a “Jewish thing.”
Some recognized “Fiddler on the Roof” from renditions you may never have heard of, like “Fiddla Please,” the “all-Black version of Fiddler on the Roof” from the show “Community.”
Here’s a clip from that rendition:
Did you grow up watching Fiddler on the Roof? Let us know on TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram @JewishUnpacked
Originally Published Mar 9, 2023 12:02PM EST
