Two New Plays Tackle Jewish Identity in Post-Oct 7 Landscape

Jonathan Spector's "Birthright" and "Giant" by an unnamed playwright are two new plays addressing Jewish identity, with "Birthright" premiering at M.C.C. in New York and "Giant" on Broadway. "Birthright" follows six millennials from a Birthright trip to Israel over 18 years, from 2006 to 2024, exploring generational fractures among American Jews after October 7, 2023. Directed by Teddy Bergman, the play features a cast including Molly Bernard, Zoë Winters, Molly Ranson, Eli Gelb, Nate Mann, Hale Appleman, and Liz Larsen. The play uses digital interactions (Yahoo, Facebook, WhatsApp) to show evolving communication. "Giant" is set in 1983, focusing on Roald Dahl's antisemitic radio interview and his friendship with publisher Tom Maschler, played by Elliot Levey. The review critiques "Birthright" for avoiding full honesty, while praising "Giant" for tolerating discomfort. Both plays are reviewed in The New Yorker.