No Murder, No Suicide in Polish Jewish Town over Sholom Ash’s Play

Smalltown Incident of Zealots’ Indignation Enlarged by Correspondent (Jewish Telegraphic Agency)

The sensational report cabled by the correspondent of the “Chicago Tribune” that a man was killed and his daughter committed suicide because of excommunication issued by rabbis against the performance of Sholom Ash’s well known drama, “God of Vengeance” is incorrect. No one was killed and no suicide was committed.

An inquiry disclosed that the sensational cable had its origin in an incident which took place in a small town, Koszyce, near Warsaw.

In that town an amateur group of actors, composed of local Jewish young men and women, presented Sholom Ash’s play. When the scene in which one of the characters throws the Holy Scrolls on the floor was enacted, the audience was wrought to a pitch of excitement at the profanation of the Torah. Protest meetings were held and the leaders of the Jewish community decided that the entire population must fast on Monday because of the profanation. Three of the performers were excommunicated. When the performers succeeded in convincing the community leaders that what was thrown on the floor of the stage was not a Sepher Torah, but only two poles with wrappings, the Rabbi called the director of the dramatic group, a youth named Sobol, to appear before him. He submitted proof that it was not the Holy Scrolls but an imitation that had been thrown on the floor of the stage.

Objections were then raised to the immodesty of the dresses and particularly against the attire of Rivkele, played by Miss Leah Ankerman, a daughter of a local Chassidic merchant, Getzel Ankerman.

Another meeting was called at which it was decided that Ankerman should be ostracized and that when he comes to the synagogue on Friday night, the zealots should spit at him. Ankerman, infuriated by the insults, ordered his daughter from the house. Miss Ankerman left the town.