Harry and Ed - Don't miss it!

Over the past few months I have highlighted some of the tireless individuals from the general public who spend way too much energy defending Israel in our media. One of the finest is playwright Victor Gordon, whose many opinion pieces and letters ensure that a rational and intellectual explanation of the conflict is always at close-hand.

Victor's latest play, Harry and Ed, is showing at the moment and I urge you all to make sure you don’t miss this compelling story of a remarkable friendship that eventually helped establish the State of Israel.

HARRY & ED: The drama behind the birth of Israel Written by Victor Gordon Starring Anthony Fridjohn and David Butler Directed by Robert Fridjohn Dates: 1 - 7 June 2009 Venue: Old Mutual Theatre on the Square Bookings: Theatre 011 883 8606, or Strictly Tickets 073 725 7381 Tickets cost R100, or R120 if you want to get a bus-ride from Johannesburg through to Pretoria. The little known friendship between President Harry S. Truman and a humble Jewish haberdasher, Eddie Jacobson, is largely ignored in the annuals of history. Yet, were it not for the close bond that existed between these two very different men there is every likelihood that the State of Israel might not have come into being in 1948. The fascination of so much hinging on so little is the essence of an intriguing play by Victor Gordon. Truman and Jacobson served together in World War 1 establishing a haberdasher store thereafter which later fell victim to the post-war depression. While Truman embarked on a stellar political career, Jacobson worked as a traveling salesman before opening his own clothing store some years later. Despite their divergent paths, their close friendship and mutual loyalty, described by some as 'akin to that of brothers', never diminished and had dramatic consequences on the course of history. With Truman's ascendency to the presidency one of the first problems he faced was the desperate need for a homeland for those Jews who survived the Holocaust. The British withdrawal from Palestine placed the fate of the region in the hands of the newly formed United Nations which opted for the partition of the territory into two independent states, one Arab and one Jewish. However, this depended on the General Assembly where a two thirds majority was required to bring the dream of a Jewish state to fruition. How the friendship between Truman and Jacobson impacted on this pivotal moment in history is told in 'Harry & Ed' which features two luminaries of South African theatre, Anthony Fridjhon and David Butler. Direction is by Robert Fridjhon.

Comments

[Shaun]

Curious to know if you are aware that there is a "How to convert to Islam" advert the IAS website?

[Mike]

Thanks Shaun. We obviously do not support that position and will look into it.