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March 22, 1974 - Image 8

Resource type:
Text
Publication:
The Detroit Jewish News, 1974-03-22

Disclaimer: Computer generated plain text may have errors. Read more about this.

TV Staging of Anti-Semitic Drama Protested

I EW CADILLAC?

ICY OR LEASE

FROM

ment of a respected Christian play, William Shakespeare broadcast underscores the
(Continued from Page 1)
In a statement, the film leader who had also pre- and the times which shaped findings of an ADL study
embodying 3 1/2 years of re-
committee disavowed any viewed the film, the Rev. Dr. him and his writing.
He expressed gratification search which were made
wish to censor ABC or chal- David R. Hunter, deputy
lenge its right to present the general secretary of the Na- that many schools are coop- public early this month. Ac-
tional Council of Churches. erating by exhibiting a closed cording to the analysis by
play.
WILSON-CRISSMAN. CADRLAC
Noting that the Council of circuit television film on the Forster and Epstein, the Jew-
It said that it had received
RES. 642-6836
CALL BUS. MI 4-1930
heated complaints from vari- Churches is "as much con- drama from the series, "The ish community is now wit-
1350 N. WOODWARD, BIRMINGHAM
ous parts of the country since cerned about censorship as Image of the Jew in Litera- nessing a new-style anti-
the showing of the produc- about anti-Semitism," Dr. ture," which was produced Semitism that is precipitated
tion was announced and Hunter questioned ABC's jointly by the Catholic Arch- by a callous disregard of
added: judgment in contracting for diocese of New York and Jewish rights and feelings
and is often "expressed by
ADL.
"We would have hoped that this broadcast, stating:
As a further discussion aid, respected individuals and in-
ABC-TV, relying on their
"Quite apart from the ex-
own sense of sound social cellence of this production, Epstein said the League is stitutions here and abroad—
policy, would have refrained the proper place for "The distributing copies of an ADL people who would be shocked
from presenting this produc- Merchant of Venice" is the teacher's study guide on to think themselves or have
tion on nationwide television." museum and not the stage stereotypes in English litera- other think them, anti-
The TV medium "reaches or television. The nature of ture, specifically Shylock and Semites."
millions of people of all ages, our society with its devastat- Fagan. The ADL study guide
The study is being pub-
many of whom have no ing history of anti-Semitism, also includes an essay on lished by McGraw-Hill later
"The
Jew
in
the
Middle
knowledge of the history and still present today actively
this month as a book, "The
meaning of the play," the and latently, raises the whole Ages."
New Anti-Semitism."
Epstein announced that
statement continued, and who matter of social responsi-
Epstein pointed out that in
many archdioceses, includ-
"may readily accept at face bility.
value the anti-Semitism" ex-
"The social responsibility ing those of New York, creating Shylock as thirsting
pressed in the dramatic of the American Broadcast- Brooklyn, Los Angeles, Chi- for Christian blood, Shake-
ing Company has been evi- cago and Phoenix, have al- speare was reflecting the
classic.
Laurence Olivier's intro- denced on many occasions, ready indicated that there bigotry of his own time, fan-
ductory statement about the and I wonder what has hap- will be special closed circuit tasizing a theatrical villain
character of Shylock, whom pened in this instance. I presentations followed by dis- for an audience that, like
the distinguished British would have hoped that ABC cussions of the stereotype of him, knew no Jews. In fact,
actor portrays in the TV would have shown better the Jew throughout their Jews had been exiled from
England for some hundreds
play, was deemed "well- taste than Olivier himself did school systems.
Epstein declared that the of years.
intentioned" by the Jewish in accepting the role. I
organizations; but, they said, cringe somewhat to think
It is the most natural
it does "not substantially what this film will do, not so
looking wig ever mode.
change or diminish the nega- much to the Jews who will
All HAND TIED like our custom mode
tive impatt of the 2 1/2-hour be hurt by it, but to all of
wigs costing much more. It has a
program." the rest of us who are more
receded front with a see-thru skin
NEW YORK — The Rt. Churches, declared he was
part. It is feather weight, comfort-
The Anti-Defamation anti-Semitic than we realize
able. You can swim in it, play in it,
League of Bnai Brith de- and will not be any less so Rev. John H. Burt, bishop "heartened" by recent de-
work in it. And wash it yourself. It
velopments
in
Syria,
which
will NEVER FADE. Ready to wear, for
of
the
Episcopal
Diocese
of
plored the nationwide ABC for seeing this film."
the man who wants to have a custom
released
a
list
of
prisoners.
Ohio,
has
called
for
the
main-
telecast of "The Merchant of Epstein asserted that the
styled look.
"The
next
essential
step,"
Venice" as "a disservice to anti-Semitic effect of the tenance of a unified city of
1 50 styiing Incluslod
American unity" and called Shylock arch-stereotype may Jerusalem under Israeli jur- he said, "is for the parties
MASTER CHARGE BANKAMERICA=
immediately
involved
in
the
isdiction.
its presentation "a glaring be even more harmful be-
CUSTOM HAIRPIECES FOR MEN, WOMEN, AND CHILDREN
Speaking on local Los An- conflict — Egypt, Syria, Jor-
example of the callousness cause he is portrayed by one
and insensitivity to deep- of the world's leading actors, geles television at the con- dan and Israel — to sit down
clusion of a meeting of the at the conference table to-
rooted Jewish fears and con- Laurence Olivier.
gether and negotiate. The
cerns that is prevalent in
He added that the ABC government board of the Na- unwillingness of Arab gov-
some sectors of our society." version — adapted from the tional Council of Churches,
ernments to do this during
Benjamin R. E p s t e i n, London stage production of he declared that "battles the past 20 years has, only
ADL's national director, said the British theater—"further over the Holy Places need had the effect of complicat-
ADL was especially con- increases the anti-Jewish im- not be a focus for dissension ing the possibility of a solu-
in the Middle East" because
cerned because "this classic pact by placing the setting
tion acceptable to all."
anti-Semitic drama which closer to contemporary times, "the Israeli government has
has caused incalculable HU Century Venice instead been more respectful of the
right of all people to visit
harm to the Jewish people of the Middle Ages."
over the centuries was pro- "The production," he con- the Holy Places than any
jected into the living rooms tinued, "harps on Shylock's other governing power in
of millions of American Jewishness. To be sure the history."
"The shrines that are
homes reaching an audience viewer does not forget it, the
sacred to the three great
far greater than the total of word 'Jew' is used as an
,

all those who have ever expletive and the camera traditions of Islam, Chris- •
The Sport Shirt Man"
tianity
and
Judaism
are
open
focuses and dwells on rev-
viewed it in theaters."
-

He went on to say that ered religious symbols, the to all pilgrims, without any
kind
of
barrier
whatsoever,"
s

"the League expressed its yarmulke Shylock wears, the
he stated.
grave apprehensions and mezuza he and his retinue
Bishop Burt's comments
misgivings about the play's kiss, his prayer talks. All this
were welcomed as "a most
anti-Semitic content to net- is sharply crystalized in the
timely and constructive con-
work officials but because of confrontation between Shy-
tribution to interreligious
ADL's opposition to censor- lock and Portia when Olivier
solidarity" by Rabbis Marc
ship did not protest publicly plays Shylock as a venal
H. Tanenbaum, American
before the broadcast lest usurer demanding his "pound
Jewish Committee's inter-
such action be considered an of flesh" from Antonio, who
religious
affairs director, and
attempt to censor." in obvious counterpoint, is
A. James Rudin, assistant
The League's view, he said, saintly.
"And," he added, "his im- interreligious director of the
was expressed in a letter to
Alfred Schneider, an ABC pact was not diminished by AJCommittee, who serve as
consultants to the National
executive, by Arnold Forster, the no doubt well-meaning
ADL associate director and but insignificant gestures of Council of Churches.
In the same telecast,
LONG AND SHORT SLEEVES THE LATEST IN FASHION
general counsel, after its rep- Mr. Olivier's opening re-
Bishop
Burt appealed to
resentatives had previewed marks and the final Kadish."

the production and learned Declaring that this telecast Christians to "reach out to • WE CARRY SIZES UP TO XXL
that the network had decided can do damage to the im- Jews with understanding."
"Christianity had its or-
to televise it. pressionable minds of chil-
igins
in Judaism," he re-
In his letter, Forster dren, Epstein said the League
pointed out that the TV pro- is therefore engaging in an minded his audience. "We
duction "neither alleviates intensified discussion pro- really cannot embrace Jesus
nor reduces the impact for gram to sensitize children in Christ without a deep apprec-
iation of his Judiac back-
anti-Semitism implicit and the nation's public and
PHONE: (313) 559-7898
ground. It is very important :
often explicit throughout the parochial schools and reduce
that we do everything we can
play" and stressed that its its impact upon them.

SAT.
presentation at this time He said that through the to build bridges of under- •
HOURS:
standing with the Jewish
would "create extreme ad- League's Nevc -r York head-
Ten
Mile
Road
17000
W.
10
A.M.
MON.-FRI.
quarters and 27 regional of- community, including a •
verse reaction."
strong
affirmation
for
the

to 4 P.M.
Suite 115
fices
throughout
the
country,
Epstein said that because
• 10 A.M. to 5 P.M.

of "long-time Jewish con- school officials and teachers continuing right of Israel to •
Southfield, Michigan 48075
cerns in regard to the Shy- are being encouraged to con- exist."
Bishop
Burt,
who
serves
as
lock stereotype," the League duct special readings, lec-
sought the independent judg- tures and discussions of the chairman of an informal "In-
terreligious Caucus" within
THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS the National Council of
8--Friday, March 22, 1974

ANDY BLAU

in BIRMINGHAM at

.

A MEN'S
WIG ... THAT
DOESN'T LOOK
LIKE A
WIG!

Bishop Supports Jerusalem
Under Israel's Jurisdiction

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