Beautiful Truths vs Ugly Lies … and All That Jazz
In 2004 and 2005, a group of “oldsters,” myself included, decided that what was really needed to combat the steady stream of sophisticated propaganda against Israel and America was an instantly recognizable, credible, “catchy” way to tell the truth to high school and college-age “youngsters.” Something hip, something cool (well, that dates us), something with a beat, something colorful — maybe a hip-hop or rap style musical which could tour the campuses.
Glyn O’Malley, that most talented of gay playwrights (oh, did that man know how to weave a spell at the dinner table), wrote an important pro-American-military play (A Heartbeat to Baghdad, 2004), which was staged off Broadway. It was brave and beautiful and gone in a heartbeat. Opera librettist (The Ghosts of Versailles), playwright (As Is, 1986), and gay activist William Hoffman came up with the idea for short, outrageous improvisations for a theatrical touring company: Yiddish, blackface, whiteface, dangerous Jews, farce, maybe even a juggler or an acrobat. By 2005-6, a wealthy British gent hired a very famous, aging rock star (even I was impressed) to compose and arrange the lyrics for what was to be a fabulous anti-radical-Islam rock musical. Twice, he played the score-still-in-process for me. “But it’s all too dangerous to actually do, you know,” he said in a whisper.
Thus, nothing really came of these ideas — but now, there is a real (tattooed) flesh-and-blood, high-heels-on-the-ground kinda group which has begun to actualize this vision. And to take it so much further. Their name is Artists4Israel, and they are wonderful.
For those who can still remember what it was like when Beat poets first began to read their poems in coffee houses — the rhythm and excitement of it — welcome to the twenty-first-century version. Think poet (as in poetry slam, with its political-ethnic-gay aesthetic, its daring and poignancy); think stand-up comic, graffiti artist, musician, and break dancer; then, cross that energy and expressiveness with the skills of a playwright, a theater director, an actor, a ballroom dancer, a muralist, a painter, a photographer, a fundraiser, a lawyer who produces plays, and you begin to get a sense of what Artists4Israel is like.
The other night, I attended their debut theatrical presentation down on Bleeker Street. The theater had the obligatory coffee bar and café tables and chairs as well. The lobby had that excited, “crazy” energy of an opening night among people for whom “the play’s the thing.” Lawyer Racquel Reinstein co-produced the evening Love and Licenses, which consisted of two plays. One, At a Loss, was a staged reading which starred Equity actors Charlotte Cohn, Jason Odell Williams, Andrew Rein, and Norma Fire. The second play, Te Busco, mainly starred Amir Levi (who also conceived of the theater program), but Jason Najjoum (the ghost lover, if you will) danced as well as toyed with Levi’s character.
In both plays, the comedy was hilarious, and the acting and the choreography were superb, first-rate. The plays are serious — and yet comic too; neat trick, that. They’re both mystical, surreal, and yet could not take place anytime sooner than the 21st century. Charlotte Cohn spoke absolutely unaccented Hebrew — and absolutely unaccented English. She, and everyone else (Williams, Rein, Fire, Levi), all gave truly bravura performances. The characters are Israeli, American, Mexican, Christian, Jewish, gay, straight, trans-national, transgressive, perhaps even transgender. Amir’s character presents himself as his “mother’s daughter. … I am destined to be the next matriarch of my family.” Both plays quietly present characters who happen to be Jews and Israelis; no big deal. But in an era of the Lethal Blood Libel against Jews and against the only Jewish state, they humanize and integrate our people in the same way that so many other talented but previously marginalized groups have “branded” and glorified their “differentness.” Think: Bo Derek wearing blond Afro-braids.
These are real actors, real playwrights (Cohen and Williams, Levi), and real directors (DeLisa White, Shauna Horn), not propagandists.
This is precisely what Craig Dershowitz (not a relative), the president and producer, had in mind. “You don’t have to be Jewish to be pro-Israel. You don’t have to be Jewish to work with us. We are not a Jewish talent show. You have to be an artist and a good one. We do Art, not Propaganda.”
Craig is a lot younger than I am (I did not ask him his age). He wears his hair in a long and friendly ponytail and his arms are covered with tattoos. “Wanna see the angel Michael? Here he is.” (“Looks exactly like Gabriel to me,” said I, jokingly). “D’ya know who Ze’ev Jabotinsky was — here he is too,” Craig told me.
Artists4Israel is less than a year old. It has been something of a whirlwind year. The group came together when Operation Cast Lead and the propaganda fallout against Israel began.
Were the plays on Bleecker Street a one-night-only performance? If the performance was advertised, I didn’t come across the ads. Publicity is what’s needed.
Ms Chesler, I believe you when you say these exercises by artists are important and resonate with many people. I believe that it’s a great thing for people whose earth is dominated by bricks, mortar and concrete. We who are mesmerized by our surrounding mountains, forests, prairie, skies, rivers, lakes, oceans and the people and animals who live here, probably have other things on our minds.
We are disconnected from the urban artistic exercises that you describe. That may be our loss; may be our gain. Sorry. The funny thing is that we continue to insist on supporting Israel.
I support any initiative which is supportive of Israel in any medium, political, artistic, diplomatic, educational, etc. But simply painting a pretty and informed picture of Israel will be ultimately ineffective if Israel behaves in a weak and fearful manner towards our enemies and in a sycophantic manner towards our friends.
Israel must not just argue that she has the right to defend herself and her citizens, she must also take the military actions to actually do so. To my great sorrow, Israel largely only talks a tough line regarding self defence, and when it comes to real action, she seems to ask for permission from her enemies to defend herself and begs her allies not to criticize her excessively for doing so. Even more disturbing is Israeli behavior in the peace negotiations with the Palestinians.
Israel comes across as willing to do anything and make any concession in order to reach a peace settlement with the Palestinians while the Palestinians simply reject out of hand any Israeli proposal and present only proposals which would destroy the Israeli state in short order. And yet only Israel is ever presented or criticized as being responsible for difficulties in the peace process, when in fact the Palestinians are the truly guilty party, never having once negotiated in good faith while promoting, financing, arming, and politically supporting Palestinian and Arab terror attacks on Israeli citizens and conducting a diplomatic war against Israel in the international community. Israel has failed and continues to fail to make her own case by studiously avoiding any direct criticism of the Palestinians in any forum whether local or international. This Israeli failure has led to disappointment and confusion among ourJewish and Christian supporters abroad, and convinced our enemies the Arabs that we are simply afraid of them. Israel should and must behave as the regional power that we are, ignore the hypocritical and often anti Semitic criticism that our actions engender and behave like the proud, sovereign, and Jewish State that we are.
FANTASTIC! And on Bleeker Street — one of the birthplaces of the Beats — yet! If the folks who put this on are reading this, here’s my question: how about a tour?
Humor works!
Yes we are talking about deadly serious issues. But there is nothing more deflating to the self-important than to be lampooned. And ridiculed they should be. For the alliance between ‘progressives’ and radical islam is nothing short of ridiculous. We will know they have lost when Letterman, Leno, Stewart and all the others are making jokes about them.
Oh and I agree that a tour of the group would be fantastic. Don’t forget us Canadians. We need some chuckles during the long winter months.
DD
Fantastic to hear this story of Artists 4 Israel, truly inspiring!
@George – the plays were advertised in the appropriate communities. Our goal is advocacy and outreach. As such, we promoted the plays among the constituencies that most needed to hear the message of the plays, not within the proverbial choir.
@Lou and DD – We have many other plays in our repertoire, as well as these, that we would love to tour. You arrange the travel and stage and we will be there!
Thank you for your kind words, all.
@Phyllis – Thank you for your kindest words. You have added fuel to a molotov cocktail.
I was in attendance and this night was electrifying. There were points when I laughed out loud and others when I felt sad and worried. There was one moment, even, that made me feel terribly uncomfortable. And, by the time the plays were done, I was tired, emotionally spent and thoughtful. I don’t know if that is right or wrong but I do know that it is the reason I choose experimental theater over t.v. as often as I can.
Admittedly, I know very little about Israel. But, I feel comfortable enough now to begin learning and asking questions. Israel seems like a very different place than the news lets on. I am going to be contacting A4I to learn more.
And, to thank them.
this is great! it was a wonderful night and i personally cannot wait till the next one!!! the plays had suble messages of importance, beauty and stregth, and the speeches were potent
I am so happy to hear that the night of theater went well!
In the future, I will look to get involved in Artists 4 Israel in any way possible!
Thank you, Professor Chesler, for writing this article!
Praise and accolades to the brave men and women who are devoting themselves to Artists4Israel and attempting to counteract the pernicious anti-Israel propoganda that saturates the world or the arts and entertainment.
This kind of cultural outreach will resonate with a new generation who is basically indifferent to world affairs, especially the Middle East imbroglio. Their viewpoints and political sense of reasoning is shaped exclusively on what their cultural icons suggest to them.
Because I respect their intelligence, I would suggest that they be left to decide for themselves after hearing yet another and somewhat different view of Israel.
On another note, as a youngster I was a member of the Betar Zionist youth movement for many years. We all learned the writings of Ze’ev Jabotinsky, sang songs witten by him but I’ve never seen his image tatooed on anyone’s arm or anywhere else for that matter. Now, that’s real dedication.
@Fern – If you want, there is a link to a newspaper story where my tattoos (and very under-worked-out) arms and chest are on display. And, boy oh boy, the hatred for me being a tattooed Jew is quite powerful.
When will we learn to stop fighting one another and begin fighting our enemies?
I am a big theater fan and will choose experimental any day! It is refreshing to know that Artists 4 Israel extends to those beyond their own “backyard” to educate others on the beauty of Israel. Both performances were great and much kudos to Amir for his passionate monologue, Te Busco.
After the play I am prouder than ever to involved with A4I!!! I know our impact will continue to positively affect Israel’s image, safety and security.
I look forward to the success of our upcoming events and trip to Sderot!
Thank you for the well written and accurate reflection of the night and all the comments and feedback.
Thank you, Phyllis, for this wonderful article.
I am extremely proud to have been involved with the production of Love and Licenses. The show really was phenomenal theater, and I am awed and proud to have been involved in staging it.
I want to give a particular shout out to Amir Levi, without whom none of this would be possible. He is an amazing talent, and I am proud to call him my friend. I also would like to mention Pauline Benney, who helped to put together the flyer for the show (with Seth Wolfson). Also, Shauna Horn and DeLisa White – what phenomenal directors! And Shani Lieberman and Aaron Diehl abley co-directed. The show also would not have been possible without Triple Crown Pub donating rehearsal space!
So many people were involved in putting together this night of theater, including Tara Gordon, Alicia Post, Marianne Pane, and lastly but not leastly, Craig Dershowitz, who spent so many hours on this project.
Thank you to everyone for such a phenomenal evening, and to Phyllis Chesler, for writing such a beautiful article!
I will be sure to check out Artists4Israel.
However, “Herr Goldstone” is a cheap shot and below you, Dr. Chesler.
If you have substantive criticisms of the Goldstone Report, then publish them, but please don’t engage in this cheap name calling; which you criticize when it is directed against you and against people who share all of your positions. As you know, I share some but not all and this is an example of why I say “not all.”
We decided to be proactive rather than defensive.
Proactive as opposed to reactive. A central tenet of Kabbalah teachings.
(IF ONLY this US administration could only catch the wave, both in the aspect of supporting Israel and defending the “homeland” from its would be destroyers.)
Phyllis: Great article! thank god at least for once a tiny tiny bit of the billions of our federal tax $$ are being used by the Israelis to promote art! it is usually spent on buying guns, jet fighters, tanks etc.. Good work! Nicely done!!
Ken Besig #3.
It’s astonishing the extent to which an Israel that has appeared accommodating & apologetic has, intermittently, sabotaged itself over the past couple of decades or so.
To Artists4Israel : God bless you and more power and support to you keep doing the righteous work you are and please expand, live long and prosper…
To Marion: Instead of Herr Goldstone how about Kapo Goldstone? He is nothing but a typical “useful idiot,” who let himself be used to blood libel the Jewish nation. Shame on him and all who support him… He could have just reprinted The Eternal Jew, the Protocols of Zion, or Mein Kampf with as much credibility…
“Oh little David, was small,but Oh My” He played a harp “and slew Goliath”. That little David…..could really get his audience!
What part needed moderation? That he was small? Played the harp? Today we can say the same about Israel: “Oh Israel is small but Oh My.”
Thank you all for such kind words. Hillel Kook or David. Our history is full of such proud leaders, such honorable and creative heroes.
@mr number 19: None of our activities are funded by the Israeli government. The play was the result, entirely, of volunteers and private donations.
If you wish to contact us, please visit our site: http://www.artists4israel.org, or email info@artists4israel.org
Great work, now it is time to go international!
The show was awesome and Amir Levi was terrific. The directors did a great job.
Great idea, but is it gaining any traction? Apart from sympathetic cheers, what impact is it having? Nonetheless, full speed ahead and best of luck.
Wish I could have made it. I heard unbelieve things all around. With the majority of artists commiserating with far-left circles where anti-israel memes thrive, this is exactly what Israel needs. It is important to reach into these artists and help them see the truth. Congrats!
@Mike – Number 29:
This is but one of many programs. And, unfortunately, for the calculable obsessed, this can not be measured.
If we put out a hip-hop record that promotes Israel and a 13 year old hears it and creates a positive, internal conception of Israel – how do we record that?
I will tell you this, the other side appreciates the subjective nature of this methodology. Maybe they just have more time and money. Maybe they are better strategists.
I tell you the joke we always use around A4I. The ad exec for an American car company who, some 20 years ago, decided to market the car by calling other things by its name, probably got fired. But, today, we recognize that he was the “cadillac” of marketing.
Listen to the music your kids listen to. Watch their programs. There is a subtle, insidious, anti-Israel, terrorist apologetic, if not downright romanticized, notion. We must combat that.
Phyllis,
This is very OT, but have you seen this article on wmen who convert to Islam by Jasmin Alhabai-Brown? Mark Steyn linked to it at the Corner.
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23792507-women-should-be-wary-of-romanticising-islam.do
Great Stuff!
Especially being reminiscent of the Beat movement.
But just like the 60s followed the 50s — you MUST turn it into propaganda.
It’s far too late to be nice.
#25 artists for Israel: i just went to your site.. you are wasting your time thinking that you are going to promote a positive image of Israel. there is no positive Image of Israel as long as you are occupying a land that does not belong to you. you are also not supporting peace other wise ms . chesller will not be supporting you
Waaaay OT;
from Investigativeproject.org, Hebba Aref, former board member of the MSA, was on flight 253. Due to the experience, she has changed her mind about profiling. She “acknowledges the fact there must be attention paid to Muslims”. Security before privacy is now her motto. Her conversion to reality was a quick one.
Oh, did I mention she is Muslim.
great article on Artists 4 Israel- I’ve seen their work and they are smart young activists.
as for “MR’s” moronic comments, does he/she realize we (Americans) have been occupying someone else’s land for a few hundred years.
Oh, I guess it’s different when Jews win a war started by others. got it. thanks “MR” for your incite.
Excellent!
Think I’ll go see their show if it’s still on.
Oh, and BTW, thanks to Phyllis for the news.
As a member of Artists4Israel, I am exceedingly proud of everyone who was involved in Love and Licenses and grateful for everyone who came out to the show.
The work is no where near done as the comments by “MR” point out. We have a number of other programs that are in progress and look forward to continued and growing support.
In other news from the art world;
The Met has removed from display ancient artifacts which depict Muhammed so as not to offend Muslim sensitivities. The Met?
In its own way, Islam is becoming more idolatrous with its focusing on Muhammed and emulating his lifestyle in the 21st century. I have yet to see the same respect given to any other world religion by any museum.
There will always be as many opinions as there are people.
Freedom and Art are synonamous. Israel is a sovereign state and has a right to defend itself. Artists share that drive for freedom and to the extent that they can express that artistically, we’re all for it! That’s one of the beauties of our country and theirs… you may not agree… but we have the RIGHT to do it.
Love… Freedom… Mad Respect. One G-d… and most importantly guys… PEACE!
If you won’t fight for peace… what will you fight for?
Benny & Mr : Jews have lived there for 3000 years as documented by artifacts & events documented by others which corroborate Jewish recorded history. Israel was a nation of Jews until destroyed by the Romans, and then the area belonged to the Byzantine Empire and then to the Arabs of Arabia and then to the Ottomans, but it was not a nation,just some territory.
But with the exception of a few intervals, Jews continued to live there, although repeatedly ethnically cleansed from the area. Jews all over the world have never stopped thinkng of Israel as home, and Jewish theology and law and customs everywhere all revolve around Israel. This has been true for no other people. In fact all people who ever came into contact with Jews for the past 3000 years knew this, including the Arabs. Until they and their friends started the Big Lie, for political purposes.
We are the indigenous people of Israel. Even if you support Israel, it is counterproductive to defend her by using analogies to, for example, Europeans conquering America, unless the Jews are the Indians and the Babylonians, Romans, Arabs & Christians are analogous to the Europeans. That accusation that Jews are sitting on other peoples land needs to be countered at every opportunity.
even though one of you protests this supposed “theft of land” and the other defends it as a “pro-Israel” person, Both of you are perpetuating one of the Big Lies Israel’s enemies tell to delegitimize the centuries old homeland of the Jews. Both of you need to learn some history.
i am proud to be an a4i supporter and am thrilled to read this… a4i is battling the cultural war coming out of gaza and is the first in its kind of pro israel advoacay to do this