Benjamin Zemach; Pioneer of Modern Dance

Benjamin Zemach, 95, dancer, actor and choreographer who specialized in Jewish themes. Born in Poland, Zemach came to New York from Moscow in 1926 with the Habima Theater company to perform its Hebrew-language production of “The Dybbuk.” When the troupe left, Zemach stayed on, making his way to Los Angeles, where he worked as a choreographer, director and teacher. Among his more illustrious students were actors Lee J. Cobb, Alan Arkin and Sam Jaffe. In the 1930s, Zemach also directed plays, including “Salome” at the Pasadena Playhouse. In those years, he created two dance pieces for the Hollywood Bowl, “Fragments of Israel” and “Victory Ball.” A pioneer of modern dance, Zemach spent many years dancing and doing choreography in New York, returning to Los Angeles in 1948. Among his screen credits for choreography was the film “Night Tide” in 1961. Zemach had lived in Israel since 1971. On June 18 in Jerusalem.