Clerical Reaction
"The Passion" proves timely topic for Bethl Els .
Glazer Institute on Judaism.
to whom Jesus preached. It was Jews
who
gave him the support he want-
Staff Writer
ed," he said.
Rabbi Saperstein admitted that his
he
ed. issue couldn't be avoid-
knowledge of the film comes second-
hand.
Rabbi David Saperstein
"Some Jews [who have seen the
of Washington, D.C., was
film]
say the Romans always look on
supposed to speak to a group of
stolidly
and the Jews always look like
Michigan clergy about Jewish social
they're rejoicing," he said. "Christians
justice, but he devoted some time
I've talked to don't notice it. It doesn't
addressing the upcoming movie, The
sink in to their awareness. Jews, of
Passion of the Christ.
course, looking for that sort of thing,
"Jews have no right to tell
notice it immediately.
Christians that they cannot celebrate
"We will see it through the filter of
in the depiction of the fundamental
the truths that
story of their
we come to the
faith," he said. "It
discussion
is the right of the
about," he said.
Christian world
"We're both
and it is the right
right.
of all of us to
"I don't
interpret it as we
believe
Mel
see fit."
Gibson is anti-
Rabbi Saperstein
Semitic and I
was featured
don't believe the
speaker at the
aim of his film
62nd Rabbi B.
was
to be anti-
Benedict and Ada
Semitic.
I think
S. Glazer Institute
those who are
on Judaism at
anti-Semitic
Rabbi David Sapersteintaking time at
Temple Beth El
may find solace
Temple Beth El to speak about the "The
on Feb. 13.
in the way that
The rabbi told
Passion of the Christ."
this occurs, and
the 250 clergy in
we
have to find
the audience
ways to bridge the gap."
another truth: The story of the cruci-
After the rabbi's speech, the Rev.
fixion so often has been interpreted as
Richard Macey from Our Lady of the
the justification for hatred against
Woods Church in Woodhaven said,
Jews.
"We need to respond in some way to
"One of the complications of this
make
sure that it's interpreted in the
film has been that Mel Gibson is try-
correct
way. I hadn't thought of doing
ing to make the argument that this is
that but I think I will now It helped
not an artistic interpretation of what
me to see the possibility that it could
happened, this is an authentic histori-
be abused in interpreting."
cal statement of what happened. As
Pastor Willie Pitts of the Greater
soon as you -do that, you now change
King
Solomon Baptist Church in
the nature of the debate and raise the
Detroit
said, "I know that anything
barrier to a much, much higher level.
that
is
Hollywood
is some facts and
"On many grounds, Christian histo-
some Hollywood. I have to look at it
rians are going to be critical of this
and take it as I see it."
film," he said. "Entire pieces of dia-
The Rev. Dr. Claude Goodwin of
logue you can't find anywhere in the
Providence Missionary National
Gospels."
Baptist Church in Pontiac said, "I
The rabbi said a limited number of
don't really like the idea of trying to
Jews, working with the Romans,
depict Christ. I prefer the idea of just
sought Jesus' death.
telling the story and letting each indi-
"At the same time, think about the
vidual draw his own conclusion and
Jewish response to Jesus. It was Jews
letting him dream his own dreams." ❑
who were Jesus' followers; it was Jews
HARRY KI RS BAUM
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