Vanessa Hidary isn’t your typical Jewish storyteller. The self-proclaimed “Hebrew Mamita” has turned her multicultural experiences into a long and, dare I say, provocative career as a spoken word artist, poet and cultural commentator.
Who is Vanessa?
According to her online bio, Hidary is a Sephardic Jew who grew up on Manhattan’s Upper West Side during the golden age of hip-hop. This provided her the inspiration to blend identities and challenge stereotypes. This blending eventually led her to her signature poem, “The Hebrew Mamita,” which sparked discussions about race, identity and inclusion within the Jewish community and beyond.
As a frequent performer at Def Poetry Jam on HBO and the iconic Nuyorican Poets Café, Hidary’s fiery delivery and sharp wit shine a spotlight on the complexities of cultural belonging. Whether unpacking her connections to Puerto Rican culture or addressing Jewish racial tensions, she uses humor and passion to dismantle assumptions.
If you haven’t yet experienced her work, it’s a blend of raw humor, cultural critique and undeniable charisma — a must-watch for anyone curious about the intersection of tradition and modernity.
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