Palestine Dances!

Born in Zhvanets, Russia (now in Ukraine), Corinne Chochem immigrated with her family in 1920 to the United States, where she helped shape the teaching of Israeli folk dance in North America. In 1930, she visited Palestine, working on a kibbutz and studying folk dance. Later she taught at the Jewish Theological Seminary, the University of California, and Cornell University.

Composer Muriel Roth (originally Parker) was born in Chicago and received her master’s degree in music from the University of Chicago. She married author Henry Roth in 1939, beginning her collaboration with Corinne Chochem in the ensuing years. Later in her life, Roth composed a song cycle titled Babi Yar, as well as several works for strings.