Noa, Tony Kushner and the politics of art

Two public disagreements in the Jewish community came to a head last week, and in the aftermath, the question is how best to avoid a repeat performance in the future, or if that is even possible.
Two public disagreements in the Jewish community came to a head last week, and in the aftermath, the question is how best to avoid a repeat performance in the future, or if that is even possible.

Two public disagreements in the Jewish community came to a head last week, and in the aftermath, the question is how best to avoid a repeat performance in the future, or if that is even possible.

Last Wednesday, May 11, in Vancouver, a sold-out crowd of nearly 1,200 gathered to hear Israeli singer-songwriter Achinoam Nini, known as Noa, perform at a Yom Ha’atzmaut event sponsored by the city’s Jewish federation. The event, however, was not without controversy, after the Jewish National Fund of Canada (JNF) withdrew as a sponsor in February over Noa’s left-wing politics.

While allegations that she supported the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) campaign against Israel were quickly rebuffed, JNF Canada CEO Josh Cooper nonetheless told The CJN at the time: “The entertainer that has been hired does not reflect nor correspond to the mandate and values of JNF of Canada.”

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After JNF pulled out, Israel’s embassy in Ottawa and consulate general in Toronto stepped in. Noa, aware of the controversy in Vancouver, appeared relieved that the event went ahead, writing on Facebook when she arrived in Vancouver: “After all the harrowing events leading up to this concert, I am so thrilled to be here and truly grateful to the Jewish federation for not folding and the Israeli ambassador for supporting!”

Two days earlier in Toronto, acclaimed American Jewish playwright Tony Kushner made an appearance at the Panasonic Theatre for an event sponsored by the Koffler Centre for the Arts. And as with Noa’s performance in Vancouver, Kushner’s Toronto engagement became a lightning rod for debate in the Jewish community after UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, a Koffler Centre sponsor, distanced itself from the event over Kushner’s affiliation with Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), the U.S.-based organization that supports the BDS movement. While Kushner sits on the board of JVP, he has publicly stated that he is against BDS.

Prior to arriving in Toronto, the Angels in America author accused UJA of “McCarthyism,” and during the event he lashed out again. “The UJA, in deciding that this event was too dangerous for Jews to listen to, is upholding a fantasy version of the State of Israel and a fantasy version of Israeli policy,” he said.

In response, UJA president and CEO Morris Zbar told The CJN, “Mr. Kushner sits on the advisory board of a leading BDS organization in the United States. That is his right. And UJA has the right to affirm our fundamental principles and reject BDS in all of its forms.”

Jewish organizations have every right to distance themselves from public figures whose political positions don’t jibe with the views of their supporters and constituents. The same, of course, goes for individual members of the community, who are free to stay home or to organize their own events instead.

Still, there is undoubtedly something special about Jews coming together publicly, whether it’s to celebrate the State of Israel’s independence or to experience a world-famous artist. But as last week’s events in Vancouver and Toronto seem to suggest, sometimes that might not be in the cards.