Commentator Staffer's Opinion Gets Him Fired From YCDS

Beukas Dismisses Levovitz Permanently

YC/MYP Sophomore Mordechai Levovitz was recently dismissed from the Yeshiva College Dramatics Society (YCDS) due to a conflict that arose following the publication of his column entitled "This Policy is a DRAG" in the last issue of The Commentator. This article expressed his opinion that it is halachically permissible for male actors in YCDS to cross-dress while playing female characters. He cited several rabbinic authorities in support of his position.

Levovitz, who was a member of the dramatics society when he wrote the article, asserts that he was expressing his personal views in the column and did not intend to represent YCDS in an official manner.

Officials at YCDS claim that Levovitz was dismissed because he refused to write a retraction stating that his article was not the shared opinion of the dramatics society. Levovitz disagrees with this statement and says that he agreed to write a retraction. He stated, "I felt it was my duty to write a disclaimer explaining that it was my opinion only."

Levovitz explains that he didn't write the retraction because YCDS demanded that he include several elements that are "unfair for me to have to write." He says YCDS asked him to publish a direct apology to Dr. Anthony Beukas, the faculty advisor of YCDS, and that he was further asked to admit that he misrepresented the facts, that his article was poorly researched and that he tried to speak on behalf of Dr. Beukas and YCDS. He says, "I wanted to write a retraction which stated that the article was merely my opinion, but I am not going to be forced to publish lies…I don't want the retraction to damage my article."

Officials at YCDS explain that another reason Levovitz has been dismissed is because he did not consult them before writing an article that directly involved the dramatics society.

Levovitz responded by saying, "I didn't first speak to YCDS because that has nothing to do with my article. It is a halakhic opinion." Levovitz states that he attempted to offer a compromise, but YCDS President Aaron Zerykier refused to change the requested format of the retraction. He further contends that "Zerykier said I either decide to do it immediately or I am kicked out of YCDS…he gave me no time to even think about it." Zerykier refused repeated requests for comment on the issue.

YCDS is the only dramatic society or club at Yeshiva University. Levovitz, who is banned from rejoining YCDS at any time, said, "I can't express the hurt I am feeling that I have to spend the next four years in a college with no dramatic experience, simply because I refused to state that my opinions are wrong."

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• Offstage Dramatics
• This Policy is a DRAG