This begins a families exploration as to whether they should remain in France  – a France that they see increasingly anti-Semitic, or perhaps they should turn their families’ compass toward Israel, where they perceive all is safe. That, of course, is highly HIGHLY ironic taken in today’s world of Israel. But the audience must be reminded that the play is written and set in 2010 and NOT is 2023

The play does give us several generations of a Jewish family but offers on stage one that is set in the 1940’s and one set in the 2010’s.  Interesting connections are made the but one most developed and most interesting is the modern day family.   It is a lengthy 3 hour play that could definitely use some cutting, and it does get VERY preachy. The play is far too driven by monologues and not scene work in the last half of the play.  I can see the comparison that many are making to the recently staged Leapoldstadt – – -and find Prayers for a French Republic to be a much weaker argument for the Jewish cause but I do feel it is a worthy candidate.  Here I do like  the characters.  I feel for their issues – but their monologues do begin to numb me.