Shalom My Gantseh Megillah Family and Friends,

I have received countless emails from Megillah family members and other interested parties, asking me to speak out against the anti-Semitic message in Mel Gibson’s new film The Passion of the Christ. I was also invited to engage in various and sundry boycotts and other demonstrations against this man and his projects. I have declined participating in any and all activities of this nature because I had not seen the film and could not offer an opinion on its content or intentions. Now that I have seen the film, here are my thoughts.

I hated it!

There, I said it loud and clear, but I do not dislike this movie for the reason some of my fellow Jews thought I would, or perhaps should.

The Passion of the Christ is not the kind of movie I would have been particularly interested in seeing under normal circumstances. With so much controversy surrounding this Mel Gibson project, it seemed incumbent on me to experience this movie and express my thoughts as publisher of this online publication.

I have also received permission from Rabbi Michael Lerner of Tikkun to reprint his commentary on the Passion of the Christ, which gave me an idea. Arnold’s mother, Helen Hanna, is a lay preacher with the United Church of Canada. She kindly agreed to attend a screening with me (Arnold and his dad were in attendance as well) and to write a piece for the Megillah from her perspective as a Christian while I wrote a commentary from my Jewish point of view. Helen’s article appears in this month’s Megillah along with Rabbi Lerner’s, and I am dedicating most of my Editor’s Comments to this subject. I am also including the thoughts of Dr. Charles Patterson author of "Eternal Treblinka" and a religious scholar.

The Passion has been criticized for its blatant depiction of anti-Semitism and the fear that it would raise anti-Jewish sentiment the world over. Well my friends, I really and truly looked for the raging anti-Semitic content I was warned about. I could not find it.

Understand please, there is no denying that there is a crowd of Jews demanding the crucifixion of Jesus. No one argues that there were many Jews who wanted to see this man put to death. But all in all, I found the Romans to be far more demonized than the Jews in the depiction of the acts perpetrated against Jesus. In fact there are several scenes where Jews plead with the Roman guards to cease torturing the man while the Romans are giddy with pleasure as each and every scream emanates from Jesus’ mouth and the skin is ripped from his body and his blood spurts on the faces of his torturers and some of the onlookers.

The relentless and barbaric violence the audience is made to sit through is my essential complaint against this movie. Mr. Gibson wants to bring understanding to believers and others of the pain suffered by Jesus at the hands of his accusers. In his many interviews Gibson claims his film is a work and message of love for the world and all mankind. If this is his way of portraying a feeling of love among us, I would hate to see a depiction of a concept he does not like.

There are a few scenes in flashback of Jesus teaching his message of love and forgiveness; but each of those scenes last only a few seconds and adds no real context to the story. The film never delivers any clear message of what Jesus was about and why he was considered to be a threat by the Roman and Jewish establishment in Jerusalem. The vast majority of the 206 minute length of this movie is spent carrying out the most disgusting and disturbing acts of violence one could ever expect to witness in person or on film.

Not only is Jesus whipped and flayed until his skin is torn from his bones, but we are also treated to the crown of thorns being stabbed into his skull as blood pours in rivulets down his face. The crucifixion itself is gratuitously carried out before our eyes in full form. The spikes are hammered into each hand and his feet in close-up gory detail. His cries of agony and torment are cheered by the Roman torturers and only the Jews on the scene appear to be crying and hollering for his ordeal to end. When Jesus’ cross is raised, there are two other criminals also being crucified; one on each side. A crow swoops down and plucks out the eyeball of the criminal on the right.

If you find my written description hard to read, believe me, it is nothing compared to what we are subjected to while watching Mr. Gibson’s message of love and salvation. It is hard to believe, but many churches and Sunday schools are bringing busloads of children to see this film. Any adult who knowingly brings a child to The Passion of the Christ is guilty of outright child abuse.

I heartily recommend that everyone stay away from this movie. While I do not endorse the claims of blatant anti-Semitism, this film is vile in its unrelenting depiction of horrific violence and mean-spiritedness. If Mel Gibson believes this as a message of love, I would suggest he seek psychiatric help immediately. If for whatever reason, you should decide to see this film, be advised to not eat prior to entering the theatre, and consider strongly bringing an air-sickness bag along with you, just in case.

My final suggestion is that you take the money you would have spent going to see this film and send it to a charitable organization that really does spread love and hope to the world.

The results of the Megillah Democratic Presidential Preference Primary are in. I wish to thank everyone who participated in the process by casting their vote for one of the candidates. Here is the final tally:

John Edwards - 10
John Kerry -50
Dennis Kucinich - 3
Al Sharpton - 3

Prior to pulling out of the race:

Wes Clark - 10
Howard Dean - 11
Joe Lieberman - 3
Carole Mosely-Braun - 2

The Gantseh Megillah congratulates Senator Kerry on his victory in our primary. A cheque in the amount of Chai is on its way to his campaign coffers.

A pre-election presidential vote will take place prior to the November election. The Megillah will have its say.


Much love to all of you,
Michael