A Jewish-American Lynching
The story of Leo Frank comes to Seattle.
In April of 1913, the body of a 13-year-old girl was discovered in the basement of the Atlanta pencil factory where she worked. Two years later, her manager, Leo Frank, was convicted of her murder. After his death sentence was commuted to life in prison, an incensed group of vigilantes broke Frank out of prison, drove all night to the home of the victim’s family, and hanged Frank from a tree facing their house.
The story of the lynching of Leo Frank, a Jewish businessman, and the mysterious murder of his worker, Mary Phagan, became the subject of media sensation, layered with the complications of race, class, religion, north, and south. For the Jewish community, the lynching of Leo Frank became an American anti-Semitism story. As a result, the B’nai B’rith, of which Frank had been president, launched the Anti-Defamation League.
The story is the subject of the Tony Award-winning musical, Parade. The Pacific Northwest division of the ADL is partnering with the Fifth Avenue Theatre to promote it this month during its Seattle run.
“[Frank’s] case made national headlines, and the trials contained severe patterns of anti-Semitism,” says Miri Cypers, ADL Pacific Northwest regional director. “It was a crescendo moment for the Jewish community in realizing how powerful the forces of discrimination could be.”
Despite taking place over a century ago, the story resonates today.
“We’ve had moments of luxury in Jewish history where we’re not challenged,” Cypers says. “We’ve been able to focus on social justice work of other communities. I think at this moment in time, we’re really leaning into the part of our mission about Jewish safety and combating anti-Semitism in all its forms. In some ways history can repeat itself.”
The Leo Frank story deals with what Cypers calls epistemic anti-Semitism, where “Jewish people are not credible narrators.” Unique in the arts world today, Parade cast Jews to play the Jewish characters.
“We’re dealing with people who were real people, real Jewish people, and it’s important that Jews portray those roles,” says Jodi Snyder, a swing who performs five characters as an understudy, and who has a Seattle connection by way of the owners of Columbia City’s Geraldine’s Counter.
“I am Jewish woman, so it feels like a very important story for me,” Snyder says. “Unfortunately, anti-Semitism is really rampant in this country. This story feels more relevant than ever, watching the governor of this town pinning it against a Jewish man just because he’s Jewish.”
Snyder says the show has been well received, despite some nervousness about going on tour. When we spoke, Snyder was in Atlanta, where the events of the story took place and where some continue to believe Frank is guilty, including members of Mary Phagan’s family. (Frank was pardoned in 1986 because his lynching prevented him from appealing; in 2019 a new “conviction integrity unit” in Georgia reopened the case.) The vigilantes that organized the lynching included local government officials, lawyers, and sheriffs. The KKK regrouped shortly thereafter.
“Anyone should come see [Parade], because it does hold a mirror up to society,” Snyder says. “It opens your eyes to systemic failure. The people of the town are failed by their leaders, so they turn to hate and anger and frustration. It’s just a story about a lot of victims.”
Parade will run through May 4 at the Fifth Avenue Theatre. On April 22, the ADL is offering discounted tickets and will hold a post-show talk-back.
“I think the power of storytelling is an incredibly powerful tool in explaining the history of the Jewish community and where we are today,” Cypers says. “Telling a story in a medium like the arts can bring in a new audience to learn about what happens when bias goes unchecked and how it can result in serious harm to people. I hope those messages can reach a broader audience.”
Cover photo: Joan Marcus
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Sunday, May 4 • 4-6 p.m.
Camp Solomon Schechter invites the community to Schechter Spark, an annual gathering of connection, celebration, and Camp ruach!
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Shoutouts
Shoutout to the Jewish Federation Staff, JCRC Leadership Team, Rabbi Yohanna Kinberg and Rabbi Seth Goldstein for the wonderful biennial Jewish Legislative Seder hosted April 9th at Temple Beth Hatfiloh in Olympia - there was great bipartisan turnout from our state leaders at tables filled with thoughtful conversations about how the passover story holds meaning for our lives in these times and the big decisions facing those representing us. —Hannah Lidman
Shout out to Israel Julius of https://juliuseatsgroup.com/. Kosher falafel, schnitzel, and sabich right in your neighborhood! Make sure to try them out. —Jon Newman