Joel Berkowitz

Joel Berkowitz serves as an Assistant Professor of Modern Jewish Studies at the University at Albany, State University of New York, where he specializes in Jewish cultural history with a focus on theatrical expression in American contexts.

His research centers on the intersection of Yiddish-speaking immigrant communities and performance arts, particularly through adaptations of Shakespearean works. Key areas include Jewish Studies, Yiddish Theater, and American Ethnic Cultural History, as demonstrated by his authored book Shakespeare on the American Yiddish Stage, which analyzes how Yiddish theater companies transformed Shakespeare's plays for American audiences in the early 20th century.