Emma Burke-Kleinman is a Toronto-based actress and Neurologic Music Therapist Fellow whose journey with Birthright Israel in May 2019 deepened her connection to her Jewish identity in ways she carries with her to this day.
Hear her story, a journey from Israel to the Toronto stage, and the moment that changed everything.
My decision to go on Birthright Israel in May 2019 came from a desire to more intentionally connect with my Jewish identity as an adult. I signed up for the trip on my own, knowing it would push me a bit outside my comfort zone, but also trusting that I’d meet people and form meaningful connections along the way. I wanted to experience the history, culture, and community in a way that felt real and personal.
What stayed with me most was the sense of belonging. Being in Israel with a group of people from different backgrounds, but with something shared at the core, made everything feel more immediate and meaningful. One moment I’ll never forget was after our visit to Yad Vashem at Mount Herzl, when we stood together and sang “Hatikva” with our Israeli peers on our trip. It was incredibly emotional — one of those moments where history, grief, resilience, and connection all seemed to meet at once.
I truly wouldn’t have been able to have this experience if it hadn’t been fully subsidized. The generosity of donors, especially through the Birthright Israel Foundation of Canada, made it possible for me to be there, and it’s something I’m incredibly grateful for.
Since Birthright, and especially given everything happening in the world right now, my connection to my Jewish identity feels more intentional. I think about it more, and I feel more connected to the community and to the responsibility of staying engaged.
Taking on the role of Hodl in Fiddler on the Roof has felt especially meaningful in that context. My great Bubby Bella fled Russia during the pogroms of the early 1900s, the exact time period Fiddler is set in. In a lot of ways, this really does feel like her story. Yiddish was her first language, so getting to perform this role in Yiddish feels incredibly personal, like I’m connecting to something that’s been passed down, even if I didn’t grow up speaking it myself.
Working on the show, I’ve found myself thinking about her often. The themes of leaving home, holding onto tradition, and figuring out who you are in the middle of change don’t feel abstract — they land in a much more personal way now.
I also think this is a story that reaches far beyond one community. Whether someone is Jewish or not, whether they have a relationship to Yiddish or are hearing it for the first time, there’s something deeply human in it. With English and Russian subtitles, it feels like the show is opening itself up, inviting more people in to connect with the story in their own way. There’s something really grounding about stepping into this role each day. It feels like a way of honouring her, while also carrying that history forward in my own life.
See Emma Perform Live
Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish opens in Toronto at the Elgin Theatre on May 25, 2026. Don’t miss this extraordinary, limited engagement.
SPECIAL DISCOUNT CODE:
Use code TAGLIT for 25% OFF — exclusively for performances on Monday, May 25 at 7:30PM and Tuesday, May 26 at 7:30 PM ONLY.
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