The Fifth Jewish Festival of Contemporary Culture
Presented by Theater Company Jerusalem
An online celebration of shows for the whole family
Sunday to Thursday 6-10.12.2020
Many artists, creators and musicians will take part this year in the online Jewish Festival of Contemporary Culture produced by Theater Company Jerusalem. the festival, which is being held for the fifth year, for the first time online, viewers are invited to enjoy quality performances from a variety of performing arts: music, theater, dance, including premieres and special performances for children and adults. Please join us and enjoy an excellent cultural celebration from the armchair of your living room.
Among the highlights this year’s festival: “ Frames 2020 “TCJ’s premieres an intimate look at inter-personal relationships during the pandemic through its first digital project, “The Last Admor”- premieres: a play based on the life story of Rabbi Yehezkiel Taub founder of Kfar Hassidim near Haifa, "Ana-Tomia" - a unique oriental dance theater, "The Blooming Rose" - Traditional Ladino Songs, "Hunch " a multidisciplinary flamenco show, "Mania A Legend in Her Life", the true life story of a radical and revolutionary Israeli female pioneer.
For children and the whole family, we host the premiere of a musical 'Do Ra Moo', “The Adventures of Ferdinand Pedhatzur “and more. The festival will be sealed with “Dima XR - a hip-hop party “a fusion of contemporary Soviet rap, and middle eastern party music.
Meetings and talk backs with the artists will take place after the performances.
Gabriela Lev, Artistic Director of Theatre Company Jerusalem: "Out of a desire to enable Israeli artists, actors, dancers, musicians to continue to create and perform, despite the devastating conditions of the pandemic we continued our cultural activities within the current restrictions.
Our rehearsals and meetings were conducted in zoom, we performed in homes for the elderly, and on the street for the whole family. We created our first digital performance, “Frames 2020” which will open the festival .I believe that, for everyone the performing arts is of critical importance now in the times of covid 19 , it provides solace, awakens curiosity and reminds us of our essential humanity. It brings us kinds of beauty so necessary in times of struggle.”
Osnat Gispan, initiator of the festival: “We chose this year to create a festival that is entirely blue-and-white. Dozens of Israeli artists will perform in a variety of genres from musicals - for children, and performances for adults: oriental dance, Ladino singing, flamenco and Jewish klezmer, hip-hop and neighborhood rap. The challenge in building this year's festival program was to choose shows that would artistically communicate through the TV and computer screen. I wish to congratulate all our performers who gave of their very best despite being deprived of the live excitement of a breathing audience, laughter and applause. And so I invite you, the general public in Israel and overseas, to buy a ticket, support the festival artists and in turn you will find much to interest delight and surprise you."
All performances will be available for viewing for 48 hours
Children's shows will be available for viewing throughout the festival and the Hanukkah holiday.
Schedule of festival performances:
Frames 2020 | Premiere theater Sunday 6.12.2020 - 20:00
Responding to the pandemic Theatre Company Jerusalem created 4 amusing short plays about life in lockdown, and 2 music clips. We hope this new work will provoke dialogue, reflection and entertainment.
5 years | When the known and the unknown fall apart, love from the past reawakens.
Writing and Directing: Gabriela Lev Participants: Tzahala Michaeli, Eyal Schechter
New Face | birthday party. Writing and Directing: Meir Feldman Participants: Shahaf Berger, Inbal Milo-Bachar, Ran Cohen, Saar Shani
Years of Gold | A grandmother finally speaks out! Directed by: Gabriela Lev Featuring: Varda Ben Hur
Birth | Choral harmonics intone the dreams and hopes of the yet to be born Israel and thus resonate today, with the desire to continue to dream, to hope, and to create.
Created for the stage by Gabriella Lev; Music Ronit Roland: with Adi Lev and the Ady choir under the baton of Oded Shomrony
Music clips: “Yaarot Dvash” Ensemble Piyut, “Impossible without It”Ronit Roland, lyrics: Eshkol Nevo
“A Broken Hallelujah” Sunday 6.12.2020 - 21:00
A journey through Leonard Cohen’s poetry, song, and prayers tracing their delicate links to Jewish prayers and liturgical poetry – the piyyutim. The songs are performed in English or in Hebrew, delineating the life story, roots, quests and yearnings of this wonderful creative artist.
Bat Chen Edri - Poetry Avraham Cohen - Vocals, Story, Guitar Yankele Segal - Musical Management and Bass ;Roni Ivrin – Percussion; Shlomo Oz - Classical Guitar ;Jonathan Niv - Cello and Singing
“Do Re Moo” | Premiere children's play Ages 3-11 Monday 7.12.2020 - 17:30
A musical for the whole family
One a spring morning the cows gather to celebrate with Parahleh – but Pahrehleh has her own way of singing things! This musical is about the desire to belong to the herd, and at the same time maintain one’s own private and special self.
After the show there will be a conversation with the creators and actors
By: Shirley Yuval Yair Directed by: Liron Noah Music: Elad Peretz Set and Costume Design: Zohar Elmaleh | Lighting Design: Amir Castro Traffic Design: Neta Meidan E. Movement Designer: Adi Yarden Director: Alon Getzowitz Actors: Tal Wenig, Roni Ackerman, Doron Levy, Noa Tessa, Miri Zehavi and Dana Cohen.
“Salt of the Earth” Theater Monday 7.12.2020 - 20:00
A museum, an exhibition, artists and a guard provide a surprisingly touching personal tale
Avram, a pensioner, to supplement his income, has taken a part-time job as security guard at the Museum of Modern Art. Gradually we understand that Avram is a holocaust survivor and his surprising meeting with the young German artist whose work he is guarding touchingly explores the issues of art memory and responsibility.
by Dani Kedem | with Eran Bohem | directed by Gabriella Lev
“Ana Tomia” Oriental Movement theater Monday 7.12.2020 - 21:00
An exciting fusion of eastern and contemporary dance in a solo virtuoso performance.
Creator, choreographer and dancer: Natalie Dvir: Original text: Natalie Dvir Artistic accompaniment: Moran Aviv: Costume Design: Honeycomb Honey, Natalie Dvir | Sound design: Lishee LeBron, Eitan Ullman
“The Blooming Rose” | Music Tuesday 8.12.2020 - 20:00
A beautiful concert of classic and beloved Ladino melodies. Avraham Avinu, Mournika, Sea La Mar, Los Biblicos and more. Songs that everyone loves to sing, and a few more that maybe even Ladino speakers, will not necessarily recognize. Original pieces of world music, and pieces from the Mediterranean - Balkan space will complete this unique program.
Nadav Lev: vocals, guitar, more. Musical arrangement and production Roni Ganor: Kamanche, more: Ivan ?Drums Yael Lev Rave: Guest singer
“The Last Admor”| Premiere | Theater Tuesday 8.12.2020 - 21:00
Based on the life story of Yehezkel Taub, founder of Kfar Hasidim.
Taub son of the Admor of Yablona, makes Aliya to Israel and establishes the only independent orthodox pioneering settlement in the land. However difficulties, cause a surprising twist with Taub leaving both Israel and his religion. Decades later he is called back from the States both to the village he established and to his forsaken faith.
After the show, there will be a conversation with the creators and actors
Written and directed by: Assaf Friedman Historical Research: Yoram Nissnyovich Costumes: Shira Palmer Choreography: Eyal Anchor Music: Yossi Swede: Artistic Advisor Gabriela Lev; Acting: Dan Sudri, Yossi Swede, David Ofir, and Assaf Friedman Whale Theater
“Mania – A Legend in her Lifetime” Wednesday 9.12.2020 - 20:00
A docu drama based solely on true facts of the life of Mania Wilbushewitch Shohat (1880–1961)
A thrilling weave of authentic vintage film footage, brilliant ensemble acting and singing creates a compelling stage performance of a radical and revolutionary female pioneer. The performance reflects on the birth of the state of Israel, its socialistic roots in Imperialist Russia and explores the passion and heartbreak of one woman who courageously risked everything to forge the society of equality and tolerance that she believed in.
Play by Peninna Gery after the book by Rachel Yanait Ben Tzvi in co-operation with Yad ben Tzvi
Adapted and directed by Gabriella Lev with Actors Tzahala Michaeli, Saar Shani, Ran Cohen, Inbal Milo- Bachar
“Hunch“ Premiere /A fusion of Flamenco, klezmer and dance Wednesday 9.12.2020 - 21:00
The journey from being single to, the experiences of pregnancy, childbirth, parenting and the dynamics in the first years of nuclear family life is expressed through a unique traditional and modern flamenco, movement-theater and performance. The live music consists of a unique combination of original flamenco music, with Jewish klezmer music from around the world performed by the band 'Kleine Menshelech '.
Creator, choreographer and dancer: Michal Bert | Musicians: Fyty Carrillo - Guitarist, Composer and Composer Eyal Pessi - Clarinet Moshe Jiuan - Violin Hadar Brett - Violin Yoav Porat - Accordion Tamar Barzilai - Besson Shaked Klein - Drums Dance: Smadar Vardi, Mia Schneiderman, Maayan Shochat
Kleine Menshelech (Yiddish: small people), is a young Israeli klezmer ensemble influenced by the Yiddish culture of Eastern Europe. The ensemble re-enacts the klezmer culture through modern and contemporary arrangements.
“The Intrigues of Ferdinand Pedhatzur in brief “ By: Ephraim Sidon Directed by: Liron Noah Music: Elad Peretz/ children's play Ages 4-10 A musical for the whole family
Thursday 10.12.2020 17:00 the first candle of Hanukkah
The story of one good king that the government corrupts until his people are no longer willing to tolerate him. In a land beyond the sea, lived an old, wise king Leonard Ferdinand Pedhatzur. A funny story about good citizenship and the power of government for young and old.
After the show, there will be a conversation with the creators and actors.
Set and Costume Design: Zohar Elmaleh | Traffic Design: Inbar Sharon Lighting Design Roi Dvir E. Director: Ariel Yona Actors: Miri Zehavi, Itamar Zohar, Liron Karmiel, Itai Samu, Danny Herziano, Elad Peretz
Dima XR | Closure Music Party Thursday 10.12.2020 - 21:30 /premiere
Winner of the Artist of the Year Award and the Song of the Year 2019 at the Rasta Frequency Hip-Hop Awards Ceremony
Influenced by contemporary Soviet rap, and Middle East party music this revolutionary music protests against racism and the oppression of the weak.
Dima: Elad Moshe DJ and Music Producer: Yogi Dylan Music Producer: Balo
Ticket purchasers will be emailed a link for online viewing and the performances will be available for 48 hours.
Ticket Prices 40 shekels each show
Suggested donation for family watching 80shekls
Generous support for artists and family ticket 100shekls
Whole hearted support for artists and family ticket 200shekls
All-inclusive ticket to all performances of festival 300shekls
To purchase, enquiries, questions, or any help required at 026244584 and www.tcj.org.il
About Theatre Company Jerusalem
Theatre Company Jerusalem (TCJ) founded by present artistic director Gabriella Lev, aspires to create a contemporary theatre of excellence rooted in ancient Hebrew and contemporary Israeli writing and song.
The festival, conceived by Osnat Gispan the company’s managing director, was created in order to foster interdisciplinary artistic dialogue and exchange between all the performing arts: and give utterance, to all segments of our community: Religious, secular, ultra-orthodox, unaffiliated, new age .We wish to provide heart-warming entertainment that will also give rise to reflection ,discussion and exchange of ideas .
Information and Tickets
02-6244584-6
Festival Program:
