Seattle Jews take on Rachel Corrie play

The Seattle Jewish community has mobilized in response to the local premiere of "My Name is Rachel Corrie," a play about the late pro-Palestinian activist.

The one-woman show, which opened March 15, chronicles the life of Corrie, a young woman from Washington state who volunteered in Gaza with the International Solidarity Movement. She died in 2003, crushed by an Israeli army bulldozer as she tried to prevent it from searching for arms-smuggling tunnels. Corrie has become a martyr among Palestinian supporters and within the anti-Israel community.

Jewish groups have criticized the play as one-sided and misleading. Members of the Seattle Jewish community and the federation have attempted to work with the Seattle Repertory Theater to provide playgoers with perspective, taking out ads promoting an informational Web site, www.rachelcorriefacts.org. — jta