In "The Jew of New York," Ben Katchor explores the allure of mainstream European culture for Jewish individuals who traditionally lived in the ghetto. He questions whether it was the intellectual appeal of renowned playwrights like Molière or the innovative theatrical techniques of figures like Pixérécourt that attracted them. This reflects a broader search for cultural engagement and fulfillment outside of their confined communities.

Additionally, Katchor hints at a more primal attraction—a fascination with human physicality, expressed through an unrestrained gaze at the human body. This suggestion raises considerations about the desire for liberation and acceptance in a broader society, indicating that the motivations to venture beyond the ghetto were complex and multifaceted.