“The Trial” — Eli Valley’s first comic as the Forward’s artist in residence — is a Kafka-Knesset mashup. The arc of the story and the narration in each of the panels are taken directly from Franz Kafka’s classic novel “The Trial,” about a profoundly bewildering arrest, prosecution and punishment. In panels 1-8, the words of the prosecution are lifted from another source: Transcripts from the March 2011 Knesset hearings into J Street.

(Click on the thumbnail for a larger version.)

On the one hand there is Kafka; on the other, there is the current relationship between Israel and world Jewry.

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

From the ninth panel on, Eli departs from the Knesset testimony and immerses the comic exclusively in the climactic parable of “The Trial.” But Eli’s version of “Before the Law” has a twist. Whereas in Kafka’s version, the heavily guarded gate leads to spiritual or intellectual enlightenment, this gate is literally Jerusalem’s Zion Gate, but also symbolic of a changing idea of Zion and Zionism that is increasingly enigmatic for growing segments of world Jewish communities.

Click on the thumbnail at right for a larger version:

Watch a behind-the-scenes video about the creation of this unique work of comic art.

Eli Valley is the Forward’s artist in residence for 2011–2012. His website is www.evcomics.com.

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

With your support, we’ll be ready for whatever 2025 brings.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount