SERMON BY JEWESS

Evening Star, Issue 22032, 18 May 1935, Page 20

SERMON BY JEWESS

GIRL WHO WAS VARIETY ARTIST Miss Olga Levertofi, a Christian Jewess and a former dancer in non-stop variety, preached in St. Bartholomew’s Churcn, Eastham, London, one night last month' - She is secretary to her father, Dr Paul Levertofi, who was converted to the Church of England several years ago, and since 1924 has been curate-in-charge of Holy Trinity Church, Shoreditch. It had-been arranged that Miss Leyertoff should speak from a platform in the church, hut she delivered her sermon from the pulpit. She wore a black foiretta and black academic gown with a white collar. “ These were borrowed at the last minute,” she said, “ because women cannot appear bareheaded in church. It/is believed that she is the first Jewess to preach in an Anglican. Church. Permission of the Bishop of Chelmsford and the Parochial Church Council was first secured, but a section of the congregation objected, and these members were not present. The church, however, was almost full. “Many races, such as the Romans and Grecians,” remarked Miss Levertoffi “ have passed, but the Jews have hung on tenaciously. This little people has been harried and persecuted, but it does not seem possible for those who want to get rid of them,to do so. They were put into the world to show people God’s nature, but we cannot say that the Jews of to-day are doing that. Their spiritual life is gradually fading away, leaving only the shell. They are still a problem;, not knowing who they are or where they are going.” Afterwards Miss Levertofi said that when she was on the stage she spent several hours every day studying theology, but she found it too much. “It was a case of choosing a stage career or religious work,” she added. “I gave up the stage for this work with my father, and I think I like it much better, and am much happier. I do not intend to return to the stage. ’