by Linda Chin
“Trayf”. Written by Lindsay Joelle. Directed by Celine Rosenthal. Scenic Design: Grace Laubacher. Lighting Design: Marcella Barbeau. Costume Design: Becca Jewett. Sound Design: Aubrey Dube. Stage Manager: Jenna Worden. Produced by New Repertory Theatre in partnership with Jewish Arts Collaborative, 321 Arsenal St., Watertown through November 3.
Lindsay Joelle’s positively terrific play, Trayf, is the story of Shmuel (David Picariello) and Zalmy (Ben Swimmer), two BFFs who’ve lived in Crown Heights NYC’s Hasidic community since childhood. Now 19, they spend their days cruising the streets of NYC in an RV converted into a Mitzvah Tank, seeking people to converse with about their Jewish faith. Shmuel was gifted the vehicle from his dad, so he’s the duo’s designated driver, and Zalmy’s in charge of navigating and the cassette deck. Zalmy lovingly prepares mixtapes with non-secular, non-trayf music they can listen to. At one point he reveals that he’s listened to Elton John, to which Shmuel asks – with curiosity, protectiveness, and concern – “Is he Jewish?”
In the safety of the front seat, where the two loyal friends can watch the outside world through glass, they engage in lively banter about their likes and dislikes (e.g. food, music) and share secrets. They discuss the best openers to use when approaching strangers and disclose their deepest fears, including the unfamiliar and forbidden experiences of dating and having pre-marital sex. When they find an area that seems promising – rich with potential recruits – they park, carefully adjust their hats over their yarmulkes ‘til they feel properly presentable, and venture into unknown territory ready to make their pitch.
To each passerby Shmuel and Zalmy ask “Are you Jewish?” and receive a range of responses in return – most people avoid direct eye contact, some cross over to the other side of the street to avoid them entirely. Some mutter something under their breath as they anxiously walk by, others tell them they’re not interested or not to bother them – or indicate with hand-signs to *#! off.
In their close knit and closed off community of Crown Heights NY, Shmuel and Zalmy socialize with friends and families familiar with their values and traditions, and rarely engage with people who don’t look or dress like they do. The few times Zalmy has ventured to Manhattan (two miles away, but worlds apart) he’s worn secular clothes and rides the crowded subway to brush arms with people who don’t look like him.
Trayf sensitized me to how tough these men on a mission are. Their daily mitzvah (good deed) is to persuade others to do good deeds, and to produce good numbers of prospects to report back to rebbe. Donning long dark coats and jackets and hats, with long dark beards covering their boyish faces, they have an imposing presence, and their forwardness can be off-putting. I found their innocence, and resilience after being rejected over and over again (and not knowing the reasons why) astounding.
If you’ve ever walked by a homeless person holding a Spare Change newspaper, a uniformed Boy Scout with a collection can, a Mormon brother bearing a wide smile, an activist with a displays of tortured Tibetans and “Free Tibet” signs, or someone dressed in a giant Shrek costume trying to hand you a flyer, you’ll appreciate Trayf. If you’ve ever been on the receiving end of a telemarketing call and interrupted the caller mid-sentence you’ll connect with Trayf. If you’ve ever been rebuffed by a friend, stranger, or someone you’re attracted to – or have ever gone through adolescence – you’ll relate to Trayf. Or, like the tag line of one of my favorite ads from childhood said: “You don’t have to be Jewish to love Levy’s.” Asian, African, Native American, Caucasian faces helped convert our Wonder bread-nation to lovers of Levy’s Jewish rye bread. Similarly, you didn’t have to be Italian to want Tuesday, Wednesday, or every day to be Prince Spaghetti day.
You don’t have to be Jewish to love the play Trayf. Or to learn how life feels limiting from the lens of two men living in a community with traditional cultural taboos. Or to appreciate how within a shared community, two individuals can have differing points of view and different ways of managing their ambivalence. Or to get a glimpse of the inner life of a young Manhattanite, Jonathan (Nile Scott Hawver) who supposedly has familial ties to Judaism and befriends the boys. Zalmy envies his freedom to experience lots of music (and women) and Jonathan seems to be longing to belong, and we learn that the grass seems greener on the other side of the fence. Or to hear Jonathan’s girlfriend Leah (Kimberly Gaughan) describe growing up Jewish as a liability. Interestingly, the female perspective of living in a Hasidic community is referenced but not given voice or visibility; maybe that is the playwright’s point?
Trayf will educate you about the similarities all humans share, despite our differences in culture, religious beliefs, gender, age, abilities and will remind you of the importance of loyal friendships. For 80 minutes, whoever you are, you’ll laugh, cry, and enjoy the ride. For tickets and information, go to: http://www.newrep.org/
