About Seven Jewish Children

It’s not often that I get to say a heartfelt thank you to any newspaper, but I really must acknowledge the good work of the Guardian, and especially its arts website. Last week, they posted a web version of Caryl Churchill’s brilliant new play, Seven Jewish Children (2009). Okay, it’s only got one actor so it’s more of a reading than a dynamic piece of drama (the text powerfully suggests competing advice and disagreement about what’s best for each child). But still. Watching it a couple of times and reading the free download of the text, I must say I’m still mystified about how anyone could think that it was a racist or anti-Semitic piece. Unless, of course, you’re a fanatic defender of the state of Israel: and these fascists are like snarling attack dogs who are impermeable to reason. Apart from vicious pro-Israelis, could someone explain to me, in simple terms, exactly what is so offensive about Churchill’s play? Yes, that’s a genuine invitation…

© Aleks Sierz

anti-Semitism Caryl Churchill Guardian journalism media hysteria right to offend Seven Jewish Children state of Israel

3 Comments

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  Stephen M. Flatow commented

  on Thursday 30th April 2009 at 11:44 am

  Sorry, Aleks, but the play is anti-Semitism masked as anti-Zionism. Anti-Zionism is what anti-Semites hide behind in polite company. They are same and was recognized as such by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the mid-1960s.
  Pro-Palestinian supporters had a right to protest Israel's Gaza incursion. But when protests descend into cries of "Jews to the ovens" as they did in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the true colors of the protestor comes out.

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  Travis Bedard commented

  on Sunday 3rd May 2009 at 7:11 am

  Aleks, I welcome you take a look at a different interpretation of the text we did for World Theatre Day in March:
  http://www.cambiareproductions.com/SJC.html

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  Travis Bedard commented

  on Sunday 3rd May 2009 at 7:13 am

  Mr. Flatlow,
  
  Can you enumerate the actual anti-Semitism in the play?
  
  All you done is say the it's anti-Semitic not anti-Zionist and then talk about a non-related protest.