WHAT/WHO IS THE WHITE CROW?

Saturday evening we spent experiencing the dramatic 2-person show *White Crow by Donald Freed about SS Adolf Eichmann's interrogation in Israel. The play was chosen by the Alternative Truth Project whose purpose is to create discussion and political action through thought provoking presentational readings. 

Eichmann, (played by Dan Schneider) was finally captured in  '61 in Argentina and brought to Israel for his interrogation led by Dr. Lillian Baum (Diane Breeser). The play had one setting the basement room of an Israeli police station.  

The audience was taken on an emotional roller coaster as Eichmann never repented for his role in transporting millions of Jews to their deaths. He shared the original plan of the Nazis cooperating with a Zionist group whereby wealthy Jews would be rounded up and sent to Israel after stripping them of their belongings. Yet, this was not fast enough so the Final Solution of extermination camps was implemented where not only 6 million European Jews (2/3 of the world population) lost their lives but also Roma gypsies, homosexuals, ethnic Poles, the "incurably sick", as well as political opponents, Jehovah's Witnesses, and Soviet prisoners of war during the years 1941-45.

Even after grueling days of evaluation Eichmann refused to accept responsibility for his actions, repeating he was just 'following orders and was a victim.'  His powerful words received audience reactions of small gasps, negative head shaking, uncomfortable seat shifting and even tears.

To break the tenseness fortunately there was an intermission between the 2 acts which included a little conversation, some refreshments, volunteer project donations and 4 door prizes of Holocaust books/cds and gift certificates to the Old Crow, a local eatery. 

Pictured here are Anne Drecktrah of the Alternative Truth Project,Dan Schneider and Dianne Breeser the play's actors 

Post play discussion led by Irving Balto allowed the audience and actors to air feelings regarding the script and history. Balto suggested a brief pause before the discussion began to  to just breathe releasing the visceralness the script induced. Would jewish audience members be experiencing a different viseral reaction as blacks would a discussion of lynchings?

The discussion encompassed parallels of similar happenings the world over specifically here in the U.S. regarding the rise of antisemitism and hate groups, government policies, etc.... Audience members pointed out the polarizing political climate as purposeful in its divisiveness feeding on the same fear and false claims as 60 years ago in Nazi Germany. 

Post play discussion facilitated by Irving Balt0

Are we all just following orders/ are victims/ do we have a choice? A guard could have decided to not follow orders whereas a concentration camp prisoner had no choice. Debunking false claims is important.

The play's director Mark McDougal's words in the White Crow's program. " When we take stances and invest faith in being "correct" (politically or otherwise)  we often lose sight not only of our own humanity, but of the shared concerns that make us Americans, that make us human."

Could a Holocaust happen again? Consensus is it could.Will people be bystanders/ speak out and stand up for human decency? That is up to us...

*Terminology 'White Crow' means collaborator to the Allies.