Actors reading "Trial of God" pose prior to rehearsal.- Photos by Ashley Fitzpatrick/The Telegram

The Jewish Community Havura will be putting God on trial, debating his "absence" during horrific events, in a one-time play reading at The Rooms Monday.

The play is "Trial of God," an adaptation of holocaust-survivor Elie Wiesel's 1977 novel of the same name.

The performance is one of several projects the Jewish Community Havura has taken on recently, aimed at developing a greater understanding of Judaism among Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

"We're well aware that the vast majority of Newfoundlanders are not Jewish," said Arnold Bennett, a member of the Jewish Community Havura.

Although the Atlantic Jewish Council states the first synagogue in Newfoundland was founded as early as 1909, the community of practising Jews has remained small in this province, Bennett said.

According to Bennett, "a few hundred" people in Newfoundland and Labrador have identified themselves to be Jewish in recent surveys, but there are fewer who practice. Those that do, normally attend services hosted by either the Beth El Synagogue or the Jewish Community Havura, the two groups which service this community.

"Between us, we probably have 75 active Jews in Newfoundland," he said.

Because of the smaller size of the community, versus say Roman Catholic or Protestant populations, a continuing "program of public education," including school presentations and public discussion panels, has helped the community to share information on elements of their history, faith and traditions, Bennett said.

The reading of "Trial of God" will be yet another opportunity for that education. It is hoped the performance will show the role of questioning and of debate in the faith.

"Judaism is always questioning, always challenging," Bennett said. "That is essential to Judaism."

In "Trial of God," he explained, the questioning of God's absence during periods of terror, rape and Holocaust will be the ultimate debate.

"How do we function? How do we go on as decent human beings when we see fire bombing in Fallujah," he asked, "or the massacres in Rwanda? How do we live in a world where there are people who can do that?"

The play is actually set in 1649 in a Ukranian village. It follows a period of organized murder in the village which leaves only the innkeeper, Berish, and his daughter, Hannah, alive.

The formal trial of God comes as a play-within-the-play, as three minstrels arrive in the decimated village looking to perform a high-spirited show. Considering what they discover in the town, and at the suggestion of the devastated innkeeper, the impromptu trial of God is proposed, and accepted, as an alternative.

There is a twist in the play, said Bennett, as a stranger who stands at the improvised trial in defence of God is revealed to actually be the Devil.

The cast for Monday's reading includes Kevin Lewis as Berish, Bridget Wareham as his daughter Hannah and Clar Doyle as the stranger/the devil. Also reading are Jacki St. Croix, Justin Madol, Mark Power, Jonathan Lewis and Kevin Foley. Kevin Lewis is also directing the reading.

Playing Hannah, the daughter who has lived through rape and the decimation of her village, Wareham said she sees the intensity of "Trial of God" as a whole. She said the reading, as opposed to a full play production, might work in favour of the performance.

"One of the benefits of a reading (as opposed to a full play), is the audience can visualize it a bit more on their own as opposed to us imposing the images," Wareham said.

"This play is a powerful play," Bennett said of the material, claiming the reading should have "both an emotional and intellectual impact" on those in attendance.

While Bennett said a religious-based organization sponsoring a reading may come as a surprise to individuals who practice a religion that calls for unquestioning faith.

"In the Hebrew, (Israel) means He Who Wrestles With God," he said.

"We constantly do."

In addition to the actors, the reading will include a musical introduction and interlude, provided by clarinetist Paul Bendsa.

The reading is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. at The Rooms.

Seating for Monday's reading is limited and anyone set on attending is encouraged to reserve space ahead of time. To make a reservation, call 834-7866 or e-mail info@havura.org.

afitzpatrick@thetelegram.com

WWW

Weblinks
The Atlantic Jewish Council
http://www.theajc.ns.ca/newfoundland.php
The Jewish Community Havura
http://www.havura.org/about-us/havura-mission-statement