ZOA's May Answers

N E W YORK, (JTA) — A
statement repudiating charges
against the administration of
the Zionist Organization of
America, made by Louis Lipsky
.—who, together with a number
of other leading American
monists, stayed away from the
ZOA's 58th annual convention
—was issued by Mortimer May,
ZOA president. The statement
reads:
"While the delegates to the
58th annual convention of the
ZOA, gathered in Washington
from all sections of the country,
were busily engaged in con-
structive Zionist work, Mr. Louis
Lipsky, sitting in New York, de-
cided to let fly with a diatribe
against the organization. In
reading the lengthy statement
issued by Mr. Lipsky one can
only regret that he should have
chosen to air his grievances in
so destructive a manner.
"Mr. Lipsky has had ample

opportunity to o i c e any
criticisms he may have of the
ZOA, even wholly unwar-

ranted ones, in the deliberative
bodies of our organization, to
all of which he has been
either appointed or elected,
and where his words are
treated with the respect and
consideration due him. HoW-
ever, Mr. Lipsky and those of
his friends for whom he
speaks have preferred not to
avail themselves of such op-
portunities. They have con-
sistently boycotted our meet-
ings and our activities. Snip-
ing from the sidelines is evi-
dently more to their liking.

"Thus, Mr. Lipsky never at-
tended a single meeting of the
ZOA's Inner Committee, to
which he was named by the ad-
ministration he so violently as-
sails; nor has he bothered to
participate in the work of our
national executive committee
a n d national administrative
council. His single appearance—
by special invitation—at a re-
cent meeting of the national
executive committee failed to
disclose any constructive con-

Purely Commentary

STRATFORD, Ontario.—On the eve of the formal opening of
another spectacular theatrical season in this small community's
now-famous tent-theater, visitors from all of Canada, from many
States in our Union, and from a number of foreign countries,
are loOking forward with keen interest to another interpretation
of a noteworthy Shakespearean character: Shylock of "The Mer-
chant of Venice."
Since we must postpone judgment for a week—the formal
opening of the "Merchant" season taking place on Wednesday—we
resort instead to reminiscing, and we begin by recalling a famous
story.
More than a century ago, the German-Jewish poet, Heinrich
Heine, was in London and there he saw the Shakespearean play
in the cast of characters of which appear two Jews: "Shylock, a
Jew" and "Tubal, a Jew, his friend." Heine saw "a fair, pale"
British lady who was deeply moved by the play and, at the end of
the fourth act, exclaimed, in comment upon what had happened
to Shylock: "The poor man is wronged!"
There is no doubt that this has developed into universal
judgment. That is why great actors have been intrigued by the
role of Shylock. After all, "The Merchant of Venice" had been ac-
cepted as low comedy. Nevertheless, perhaps the greatest actors
of all, Edmund Kean, Sir Henry Irving and Edwin Booth, clam-
ored for opportunities to play Shylock.
Shakespeare, it is generally accepted, never had met a Jew.
Ile wrote from hearsay. He copied from other sources, including
Christopher Marlowe's "The Jew of Malta." The plot is a very
old one. In fact, a much earlier story makes the Jew in the nar-
rative the victim—the man who was unable to repay a loan and
therefore had to forfeit a pound of flesh.
The view has been advanced that Shakespeare was moved
to write his play with the theme of a cruel Jew by the execution
of the Spanish-Jewish physician, Doctor Lopez, the convert to
Christianity. Lopez was physician to Queen Elizabeth, but was
condemned to death on a charge of having conspired with Spain
sgainst the English Queen.
But it is admitted that Shakespeare was moved by a sense of
compassion • to defend a defenseless Jew, else he could not pos-
sibly have written this powerful speech of the tragic Shylock:
"He hath disgraced me, and hindered me a half a million;
laughed at my losses, mocked at my gains, scorned my nation,
thwarted my bargains, cooled my friends, heated mine enemies;
and what's his reason? I am a Jew. Hath not a Jew eyes? hath
not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, pas-
sions? fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons,
subject to the same diseases, healed by the same means, warmed
and cooled by the same winter and summer as a Christian is?
If you prick us, do we not bleed: if you tickle us, do we not
laugh? if you poison us, do we not die? and if you wrong us,
shall we not revenge? if we are like you in the rest, we will re-
semble you in that. If - a Jew wrong a Christian, what is his
humility? Revenge. If a Christian wrong a Jew, what should
his sufferance be by Christian example? Why, revenge! The
villainy you teach me, I will execute; and it shall go hard but
I will better the instruction."
*
*
We have already indicated that, under the brilliant direction
of Dr. Tyrone Guthrie, "The Merchant of Venice" at Stratford
will boast the genius of a great Shylock, in the Czech Jewish
refugee, Frederick Valk. We will have more to say, later on, about
the very great stage designer, Tanya Moiseiwitsch. A charming
young Toronto Jewish girl, Charlotte Schrager, plays Jessica. The
role of Monocco is played by another able Jewish actor, Lorne
Greene, who also plays Brutus in "Julius Caesar." Another Jewish
member of the cast, William Shatner, plays Gratiano in "The
Merchant of Venice" and Lucius and Strato in "Julius Caesar."
One of the best known members of previous Stratford. Shakes-
pearean casts, another Jewish Stratfordian, Lloyd, Bochner, is
Sol
C
anio in "The Merchant" and Cassius
in "Julius aesar." Louis
Applebaum is the music director of this great festival series.

In this wholesomely friendly and very hospitable community

of 17,038, there are 20 Jewish families. All of them live ad-

ip skv Charges

tributions to the program and
policies of the ZOA. Indeed,
there was general disappoint-
ment over the negative ap-
proach reflected by his remarks.

"For some years now this
small minority, numerically in-
significant, has sought to gain
control of the ZOA. Such am-
bitions are quite legitimate when
pursued in a democratic manner
within the organization. But
having repeatedly failed to
carry the national convention,
notwithstanding a variety of
`issues' which they have em-
ployed, they have sought to ac-
quire control by other, less di-
rect, means and on occasion
they fire broadsides at the or-
ganization—from a safe dis-
tance. The policies of the ZOA
are determined by majority de-
cisions after full and free dis-
cussion and debate. However,
Mr. Lipsky's group persists in
refusing to abide by this demo-
cratic procedure. This attitude
is passing strange in view - of the
self-proclaimed 'liberalism' of

Mr. Lipsky and his colleagues.

"Anyone who was present at
our national convention must
view Mr. Lipsky's strictures with
incredulity—for the spirit and
achievements of this gathering
categorically refute each and
every one of Mr. Lipsky's
amazing statements. This was
one of the most successful Zion-
ist conclaves in many years. In
Washington we recorded the
significant progress made by
the ZOA in pursuing its numer-
ous activities in behalf of both
Israel and American Jewry, in
increasing its membership and
in expanding its resources. The
large number of delegates pro-
vided a striking demonstration
of Zionist unity and vitality.
The serious and effective man-
ner in which they charted the
future course of the organiza-
tion augurs well for the months
ahead.
"If our convention had con-
sisted of nothing more than the
session of June 18, it would al-
ready have been a significant

'The Poor Man is Wronged': . . • A
Famous Heinrich Heine Story about
Shylock . The Views of Frederick
Valk and Charlotte Schrager.

By Philip
Slomovitz

"The Canadian Jewish Congress has expressed disapproval
of presenting this play but has been unable to stop it. Tyrone
Guthrie, the director, has stated that the role of Shylock will
be sympathetically played. As a matter of fact, this role is being
acted by a Jewish actor from Czechoslovakia who has played
the same role before.
"As far as the general concensus of opinion of the members
of the' Jewish community is concerned, there is certainly no
alarm or very great concern. They feel that the play, although
objectionable, will have very little effect on the status quo of
things and most of them intend to see the play.
"I don't know what the views of the gentiles here are, but
there has been very little mention made of it and I think as
far as most of them are concerned, it is just another Shakes-
pearean play."

But with the hoped-for expectations there neverthesless re-
mains the _ealization of a basic fact: that "The Merchant of
Venice" is a play that lends itself. to deep-rooted prejudices and
to anti-Semitism. The defenders of its choice for the Stratford
1955 program admit it. Would that they had chosen a different
Shakespearean production—as was recommended by the Cana-
dian Jewish CongresS.

*

event on the American scene,

reflecting the paramount role in
securing and giving expression
to American support for Israel.
It constituted a major develop-
ment in the creation of a con
structive United States policy in
the Middle East.

"Moreover, it would seem
that the Government of the
United States as represented
by Attorney General Brownell,
the Congress of the United
States as represented b y
Senator Humphrey, and the
Government of Israel as rep-
resented by Ambassador Eban,
do not share Mr. Lipsky's low
opinion of the ZOA. Mr.
Brownell, for example, had this
to say: 'In dealing, with the
question of this two-way
bridge between the United
States and Israel, I wish to
express my hearty congratula-
tions to the Zionist Organiza-
tion of America, whose current
work in this field is no less im-
portant than the historic role
it played in the creation of the
State of Israel.'

"The same view was expressed
by Senator Humphrey, who de-
clared: `It is hardly possible for
anyone concerned, as I am, with
the foreign relations of the
American Government to be un-
aware or unappreciative of the
role played by the Zionist Organ-
ization of America in the field
that commands its particular at-
tention. The Zionist Organiza-
tion of America today, as over
many years in the past, renders
invaluable service in strength-
ening the relations between the
peoples of the United States and
Israel, and in furthering Amer-
ica's vital interests in the Middle
East . . . An organization such
as this . • • earns the commen-
dation and gratitude of all con-
scientious Americans.' Ambas-
sador Eban's appraisal of the
significance of our Zionist work
and his words of encouragement
to us also - stand in sharp con-
trast to Mr. Lipsky's bitter as-
sault.
"We have serious and import-
ant work to do for Israel and
the Zionist cause generally. We

Last Week we were able to present the views of Dr. Guthrie
himself, made in his own behalf and with the concurrence of Miss must mobilize economic support
Moiseiwitsch and Mr. Valk. We now have a direct statement from for Israel, organize public opin-
Mr. Valk, who tells us:
ion, strengthen America-Israel
"Here is my answer to your question about `Shylock' as seen friendship, and conduct a wide-
today.
spread program of Zionist edu-
"Existing anti-Semitism could hardly be based today on the cation throughout America. We

ground of avarice or money-hoarding. In our time, these quali-
ties seem rather to demand a certain respect, they are prac-
ticed internationally and it is a fact that Jews here are out-
stripped by .other nations. So it seems to me a fallacy to assume
that Jews could be suspected of being `greedy,' avaricious,' or
`bloodthirsty,' on the basis of showing Shakespeare's 'The Mer-
chant of Venice.' My personal opinion is that the incessant dis-
cUssions about `Shylock' have done nothing but harm. They have
achieved exactly the contrary of what they wanted to attain.
They have again raised the question of anti-Semitism, pushed it
in the brains of the people and fixed it there."

Mr. Valk's view certainly is 'not fool-proof, although, as we
had indicated previously—in our last week's analysis of the dues-
tion—a Shylock properly presented will emerge a powerful and a
rebuking force in repudiation of anti-Semitism.

But we have another interesting opinion—that of the youngest
member of the cast of "The Merchant"—Charlotte Schrager, who
plays Jessica. Charlotte tells us:

"I believe that the whole question is almost pointless, and
for three reasons: first of all, 'The Merchant of Venice' should
be viewed as a drama. The dramatic moments of Jew-baiting
should be considered as, just that—dramatic moments. But there
is the fact that the anti-Semitic elements in the past were
stirred up more—as a matter of fact, in Shakespeare's time, when
antagonism against the Jews was so strong the audiences even
joined in the Jew-baiting.
"But, if today, someone would be moved to antipathy by
this play—which I feel shows the Christians up to be worse
scoundrels than the Jew—then that person, in his ignorance,
is to be regarded as a spectator lacking the intelligence to ap-
preciate and interpret the play properly. We are not living in
the same anti-Jewish atmosphere as the Jews of Shakespeare's
time did, but none of us is blind to the fact that it is still existent,
though in more polite and unspoken ways. But it is more than
clear that Shakespeare was too much an artist to be anti-Semi-
tic, and I am quite convinced that Dr. Guthrie is also too much
the artist, and far too intelligent, to misinterpret what Shakes-
peare has so clearly and cleverly created; when Shylock leaves
the court-room followed by a pack of hissing, spitting, Jew-
baiters, if there is one man or woman or child in the audience
that is not sympathetic with this would-be murderer, I shall be
thoroughly amazed; And you may quote me on this: Mr., Valk
will bring tears to even the hardest of hearts."

mirably well together. They share each other's joys and sorrows—
and the Jewish residents are not a bit upset by che fact that a play
This is a perfect addendum to our above story, quoting Hein-
that had been considered as conducive to fostering anti-Semitism rich Heine's experience: "The poor man is wronged!"
is being revived in their midst.
We are pleased with Miss Schrager's statement. She is a very
Thus, one of their leading residents, Joseph Greenberg, told young girl-22—but she shows a lot of good sense. Dr. Guthrie is
Its: "There is no concern locally about the play."
to be congratulated on having selected her for a role from the lot

will not be diverted from our

tasks • by a controversy which

Mr. Lipsky seems eager to carry
on. With all due respect, we

suggest that he can put his own
unquestioned talents to better
and more constructive use."

Levinthal, Shapiro, Stone
Side With Lipsky Against ZOA

Louis E. Levinthal, Ezra Z.
Shapiro and Dewey Stone, three
prominent Zionists, in a joint
statement from Cleveland, sup-
ported charges made by Lipsky
against ZOA's present adminis-
tration.
Calling the reply of Mortimer
May, ZOA president, "a crude
patchwork of evasion and self-
serving encomia," the trio back-
ed Lipsky's criticisms as "bal-
anced by highly constructive.
proposals."
The statement refers to the
negotiatiops initiated by Dr. Na-
hum Goldman and Dr. Emanuel
Neumann to give ZOA a united
front, and says that no agree-
ment was reached. The conclu-
sions of that meeting were re-
ported only two days before the
opening of ZOA's Washington
conference, they added.
They further charged that

May's answer completely ignored
three points made by Lipsky
which were cited to "serve as
the basis for reinvigorating the

ZOA iii its program, policies and

operations."

To Read Jewish Deputies

LONDON, (JTA) —Barnett

Janner, Labor MP, was elected
president of the Board of Depu-

ties of British Jews today to suc-
ceed Dr. Abraham Cohen, who
resigned.

Speaking in behalf of the Jewish community, the secretary of that competed for Jessica's part.
the Stratford Beth Israel Congregation, Dr. Ralph Goren, made a
Next will come the studied reactions to the play itself. Indeed, 2
sttern.ent to your Commentator, as follows:
Stratford seems to assure unforgettable theatrical thrills,

—

•

DETROIT JEWISH

NEWS

Friday, July 1, 1955

