New Jerusalem, The Interrogation of Baruch de Spinoza at Talmud Torah Congregation: Amsterdam, July 27, 1656

As the Inquisition bears down on them, a small Jewish community flees Portugal to find a tenuous peace in seemingly liberal Amsterdam. But Spinoza, a favorite son of the community and the rabbi’s heir apparent, is an outspoken iconoclast. When the boldness of his ideas strains the bounds of Amsterdam’s professed tolerance, it leads to a dangerous confrontation between powerful political forces and his own beloved community. Based on true events in the life of one of the greatest philosophers in history, this recent off-Broadway hit from playwright David Ives challenges traditional political and religious thinking with conviction, passion, and wit.