Posted By thecircusblog on September 19, 2009

Moscow circus presents monkeys as Jews

Israeli living in Russia shocked to find anti-Semitism in capital’s most popular circus as four monkeys enter ring for ‘Jewish Wedding’ skit. Embassy spokesman says heads of Jewish community in Russia found skit ‘bad taste at worst’. Monkeys’ trainer: Representatives of Jewish cultural center approved everything

Yael Levy

 Micky Saidov, an Israeli businessman living in Russia never would have imagined that a trip with his daughter to one of the most talked about circuses in Moscow would go from an entertaining experience to a full-blown anti-Semitic one.

 During one of the Nikulin Circus skits, the performers simulated a “Jewish Wedding”, with the leading roles being filled by four monkeys, acting as the bride, groom and their parents.

 “It was humiliating, embarrassing and even spine-chilling. My 14-year-old daughter Linoy was shocked, with her mouth wide open. She was so upset she wanted to throw trash into the ring to make it stop,” Saidov told Ynet.

 Following the incident, he decided to send a letter to the Israeli embassy in Moscow to inform them of the show’s content. “I wanted to bring their attention to this very anti-Semitic, offensive, strident and chilling point with regards to Jewish feelings,” he said.

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