Alisa Solomon is an eminent American professor of journalism, cultural critic, and author, currently teaching at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism. As a Jewish intellectual long active in progressive circles, she excels at deconstructing complex social identities through the lens of culture and the arts. She is both a rigorous scholar and a keen observer, exploring how the arts can function as a force for social change within turbulent political contexts.
In terms of professional achievements, Solomon holds an international reputation for her profound research into Jewish culture and the performing arts. Her acclaimed book, Wonder of Wonders: A Cultural History of Fiddler on the Roof, reveals how the musical became a totem for global Jewish identity. She served as a long-time theater critic for The Village Voice and is a recipient of the George Jean Nathan Award for Dramatic Criticism. Her contributions to journalism education are equally distinguished, mentoring generations of socially conscious journalists.
Solomon is also a steadfast defender of Palestinian rights within academia and has long served as a core member of Jews for Racial and Economic Justice (JFREJ). She sharply critiques how cultural narratives can be used to mask the reality of occupation and has publicly supported boycott movements within the academic and artistic spheres. In an influential essay, she wrote: “We cannot allow the memory of Jewish suffering to be converted into a license for the oppression of others.” She firmly believes that through truth-telling and cultural critique, the myths surrounding the conflict can be dismantled, opening up space for Palestinian self-determination and freedom.