Panim- Faces of Art and Culture in Israel- January-February 1998

Debating Tournament Lands in Israel

Israeli society and Israelis being as volatile and dynamic as they are, it is not entirely surprising that the Hebrew language does not even have a satisfactory equivalent for the word "debate." Anyone who has watched Israeli political talk shows knows that debating frequently becomes a matter of shouting loudly -- and at length -- about the topic at hand.

Hundreds of Israeli school children will get to see another side of the picture when they witness real debating skills at the Tenth World Schools Debating Championships, which will take place in Israel from January 29 - February 6, 1998. The competition is the most important world-wide in the field of debating and rhetoric, and this is not only the first time it is being held in Israel, but is also the first time it is being held in a non-English-speaking country.

26 nations are expected to participate, making this the biggest event in the ten-year old history of the competition. Among the competing countries are those where debating is a long and important tradition and is part of the school curriculum, such as Great Britain, USA, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Ireland and Canada. Others have recently established debating and have attained a very high standard - such as Argentina, Lithuania, Peru, Singapore, the Czech Republic, Israel, etc. Newcomers to this years competition include Croatia, Belarus, Estonia, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Slovenia and Moldova.

The competition is based in Jerusalem, but the preliminary rounds will be held in schools throughout the country. Several hundred high school pupils will witness the art of debating for the first time by students of their own age, and hopefully will be encouraged to enter the world of debating themselves, in both English and Hebrew.

The semi-finals will be held in the Jerusalem Municipal Chambers and will be chaired by Ehud Olmert, the Mayor of Jerusalem. The Grand Final will be held in the Knesset, with the participation of Dan Tichon, the Speaker of the Knesset.

The competition is being held under the aegis of Siah veSig, the Israel Debating Society. The Society was founded some nine years ago, with the aim of promoting the arts of public speaking, rhetoric, and debate in Israel, at all levels - in elementary, junior high and high schools, in universities and in the army - as an essential tool for democracy. Thousands of Israeli students and hundreds of teachers have studied in Siah veSig workshops and hundreds of teachers have attended courses in debating in both English and Hebrew.

Israel began participating in foreign debating competitions in 1990, and in 1996 the team reached sixth place in Australia. The Israeli team this year will be looking to improve its performance on its own home turf.

The chairman of Siah veSig and the convenor of the competition is Asher Weill and details of the competition are available from him by fax (972 2 643 7502) or by e-mail debasher@netvision.net.il

In the beginning there was the text. And Rina Yerushalmi saw that it was good and in its image created a play. And it came to pass, that critics and audiences beheld that it, too, was good. That it was very good.

So good, in fact, that Va Yomer Va Yelech ("And He Said, And He Walked"), Yerushalmis adaptation of the first five books of the Old Testament has been performed -- to rave reviews -- in Germany, Austria and Holland, is heading to Australia in February, the United States in March and back to Germany in August. So good, that it continues to cast its spell over local theater-goers here.

This is no Charleston Heston extravaganza. Not adding one word to the original text (but imposing her own order) Yerushalmi, one of Israels leading theater directors, explores mans relationship with God, with himself and with his nation. The Itim Ensembles 12 actors ("for the 12 tribes," suggests Yerushalmi) bring the Bible to life -- recounting, singing, reciting and dancing -- in what becomes a dialogue between twentieth century man and the ancient text.

For Yerushalmi, dialogue is the key to good theater. "Actors must speak with the audience and not at them," insists Yerushalmi who has directed everything from musicals to Beckett to Shakespearean tragedies. Returning to her roots, Yerushalmi discovered in the Bible, the ultimate script: "Its not the personal script of one author; its everyones text--biographical, national and completely accessible."

"There has to be something universal about the theater experience," explains Yerushalmi: its a place ("unlike a therapists couch") where spiritual excavations are done collectively. "It is the theaters responsibility to widen the viewers scope, to take him beyond the social and political trappings of his daily existence."

A no-nonsense woman who stonewalls personal questions, Yerushalmi takes the theater very seriously.

And well she should. Born in Afula close to 60 years ago and raised in Haifa, Yerushalmis original calling was dance which she studied from four until she enterd the army at 18. A dance-related neck injury changed her direction and after the army she found herself enrolled in Londons Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. Returning to Israel in the 1960s, she acted, sang and staged managed for impresario Giora Godik and subsequently assisted the movement pioneer Moshe Feldenkreiss. She has studied theater in Europe and Japan and has taught at the Carnegie Mellon University (where she received her MFA) and New York University.

Living and working in more countries than most people visit in a lifetime -- the ancestral wanderings of Vayelech is something of a personal metaphor for her -- Yerushalmi refuses to speak of departures. Yerushalmi says she has never once left her homeland. "You always take who you are with you."

In 1988 Yerushaslmi made Israel once again her base, forming the Itim Ensemble, an experimental theater company under the umbrella, though artisitically independent of, the Cameri Theater. Vayomer is Itims fourth production; its "Hamlet" was awarded the 1990 Margolit Prize (Israels "Tony") for Best Director and Best Production; "Woyzeck" received the 1991 Halevi Award for Best Production and for Yerushalmis contribution to the theater; and in 1994 "Romeo and Juliet" was the first Israeli production to appear at the Barbican under the auspices of the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Itims next production, currently in rehearsal, is a continuation of Yerushalmis Bible project. Based on the Prophets and later Biblical texts it is about Gods distincing Himself from man and mans accelerated materialism. "It is about constant failure on both sides," says Yerushalmi. Tentatively scheduled to premier in August, Yerushalmi is still unsure how it will end. "Perhaps with some sort of rediscovery of re-invention of God," suggests Yerushalmi, a committed secularist.

Exclusive in her approach to theater, Yerushalmi has somewhat symbiotic relationship with the stage. Its all or nothing. Asked how she spends her free time, Yerushalmi appears sincerely baffled: "To do what? There is no time when I am not working on the theater." For Yerushalmi work and relaxation are one and the same. "I dont divide my life into fixed categories." Any favorite artists, musicians? She cant think of any. What about books? Again, she begs the question.

The Bible, its safe to guess, is tops on her list.

- Shelley Kleiman

SHALOM-SALAAM

Peace Through Education

Science

New models of peacemaking are in the works: The Ort Braude International College of Technology in Karmiel is building coexistence through higher education. The fully accredited, ten-year old college is planning the first sponsorship of Jordanian higher education students to study in Israel. This endeavor sets a precedent of advancing relations between citizens was conceived by Jonathan Lyons, a British-Jewish philanthropist, who created the program with the schools president, Pinhas Shwinger. Lyons donated scholarships to four Jordanian students to attend the college for a four-year degree, with an additional year of Hebrew language training. The program has received the endorsement of King Hussein, and could begin as early as the fall of 1998. "We wanted to demonstrate that beyond the formal peace process between governments, that peace is also an informal process between people," said Shwinger. He describes the goal of the program as "peace through education."

Arts

Coexistence in the forum of higher education is also the goal of the Meshulash College in Bakat al-Garbiyyeh, where December 10 marks the beginning of the colleges first academic year. Meshulash has created a program designed for Jewish and Arab students of the arts and humanities. The school is run by a partnership between an Arab director, Afif Sharakiyyeh, and Jewish academic director, Dorit Silberman, a well-known Israeli writer. The College is off to an internationally supported start, with the sponsorship of Clark University and New England University in the United States. In its first year the program will offer courses in the fine arts, languages, literature and computers; all under a policy that supports coexistence, teaches tolerance, and promotes equality between all citizens.

"Sesame Street" On the Air: The American-Israeli-Palestinian partnership that created "Sesame Street" for the Middle East has produced 60 new programs, which will be shown at central spots in the coming season on Israels Channel 2 Educational Television. The childrens show is designed to address issues of tolerance and peace, and represents all the cultural communities within Israel society.

The artwork of Jordanians, Lebanese, Egyptian, and Israeli artists, under the patronage of King Hussein, was united in a festive exhibit in Amman celebrating the Kings birthday. The works of eleven Israeli artists chosen by the Israel Museum joined ten Jordanian artists, one Egyptian, one Lebanese and one Iraqi. The Israeli group included Arabs and Jews, such as Michael Ullman, Moshe Ninio, Ziyad al-Zahar and Nadia Kaderi Abu-Senan; Israeli artist Ibrahim Nubani won first prize at the exhibition.

Sarit Shapira, the Israel Museum curator of the Israeli exhibit, commented that "the Israeli woks are encoded with a deep understanding of the social and cultural structures and processes of the environment in which the artists live...they find justification precisely in moments of confusion and eclipse."

Beit Ha-Gefen Participates in New Production

Sheikh Daher el-Omar dreams of changing the world, in El-Bab El Ali ("The Last Night of Dahar El-Omar"), the new production by Jordanian playwright Hisham Yunis (of the comedy duo "Nabil and Hisham"). The plot is a historical fiction, depicting the 18^th century-Sheikhs grand vision for peace and coexistence between Jews, Arabs and Moslems in the Middle East.

Visions of peace also describe the context of the plays production. In a major multi-cultural operation, the play is being mounted by an Israeli-Jordanian-Palestinian co-federation, supported by the European Union and performed to Israelis at Beit HaGefen, Haifa. It will tour the Palestinian Authority and Jordan for 20 performances each.

Gila Almagor was the winner of the 1997 lifetime achievement award at the Israeli Film Academy Awards in November, for her 41 years of contributions to film and theater in Israel, as well as her community and voluntary activity. "Afula Express" took more awards than any other film, including best director (Julie Shles) and best actress (Esty Zakheim). Assi Dayan won the best actor award for his role in "Mr. Baum."

"The Dybbuk of the Holy Apple Field" (Hadybbuk besde hatapuach hakadoshim) - Feature: The ubiquitous conflict between love and the strictest social boundaries is the setting for this mystical tale based on S. Anskeys classic play. From within the heart of modern-day Meah Shearim, Dybbuk conveys the struggles of Hanan and Lea to consummate the love they share, against the constraints each faces in a rigid environment with carefully confined roles. Mystical, emotional powers that recall the era of Romanticism drive them to a crescendo where love approaches the boundaries of death. The film was screened at the Haifa Film Festival in October, and is a co-production between the Swiss company "Condor Films," the German "Fidibus Film," and Israels Zodiac Films, Dybbuk is slated for a range of tours in Europe in 1998. Director: Yossi Somer.

"Minotaur" - Feature: A story of love and obsessive passion that clashes with the responsibilities of the real world, Minotaurs main character is a spy, whose life is a web of intrigue and international missions. The movie is based on a story of the same name by Benjamin Tammuz, in which the middle-aged spy expresses his desperation for the far younger girl through anonymous contact over a period of years. His affections are matched by her attempts to discover his identity, in her search for the love he offers. Dan Turgeman directed and stars in the film, which was produced by Cinema Pardess in partnership with Top Line Communications; also starring Mili Avital.

The international modern dance festival at Suzanne Dellal in November is a celebration of creativity and originality. The contest featured 30 diverse performances, 17 by Israeli choreographers and dancers. Ido Tadmor performed his newest creation, Uranus, which portrays individuals and relationships in his classic, sometimes shocking style; Idit Herman and Dmitri Tulpanov of Clipa Theater created and performed "The Middle Ages," an enticing portrayal of suspicion, supersition, and rebirth through a complex narrative based on the paintings of Hieronymous Bosch, aided by elaborate props and dramatic set displays. Al Kuds Productions presented "Channel Al-Kuds," a rapid-fire parody of a Jerusalem radio station with a sharp political critique, created and performed by Mariano Weinstein and Emanuel Gat. Inbal Pinto, a former dancer for the Bat Sheva Dance Company, whose work has been shown at the Metropolitan Museum in New York and in Habimah productions, performed a short, witty duet. Barak Marshalls company performed its latest production, "Emma Goldmans Wedding." Marshall and Pinto were subsequently invited to perform in Lyons, France, in September. "Clipa Theater" has been invited to Britain for the Edinburgh festival in August 1998.

For decades, Yiddish theater was a beloved symbol of Old World European Jewish culture. With a revival of interest in Yiddish culture in recent years, Yiddish theater has taken on new life, and Israels Yiddish Theater is proof, as "Yiddishpiel" celebrates its tenth anniversary amid a fanfare of prizes and new productions. "Yiddish theater is not only theater," says Shmuel Atzmon, the theaters director, "but it is also Yiddish soul, intelligence and humor. People have realized that along with the great loss of European Jewry was the loss of a tremendous cultural heritage, and we have proven that it can be regained."

"Sandar Blank," is Yiddishpiels latest production, written 100 years ago by Sholem Aleichem, and directed Michael Luria. Shmuel Atzmon himself stars as the title character in this family-based comedy of middle- to upper-class Jewish life in Russia. Not only Jewish audiences, but general audiences in Austria loved the show. "Sandar" traveled to Vienna on invitation, and will be traveling throughout 1998 to Vienna again, and possibly to Moscow, the United States Australia, Italy and Germany.

In late December 23, Yiddishpiel presents a brand new production, entitled Allein Ist Die Neshama Rein, ("Alone, the Soul Remains Pure"). This production is a one-man stand-up show, "the first of its kind in Yiddish, and better than Jackie Mason," according to Atzmon. It celebrates 40 years of acting by Jacob Bodo, and 20 years in Yiddish theater.

Yiddishpiel also won the prestigious Itzik Manger prize for Yiddish culture. Three other figures in literature and scholarship were awarded the prize, with Yiddishpiel as the winner in the theater category. The prizes were awarded in a special ceremony, at which two small presentations were performed both works of Itzik Manger.

Moshe Shamirs novel was first made into a play in the 1940s, and is now being revived for the fourth time in Israels history. Over 50 years, the play has become a theatrical symbol of the most idealistic years of Israeli life. The generation of kibbutz youngsters is contrasted with their parents, pioneers who built the kibbutz and who are already nostalgic for the old days. Archetypes that make up Israels social fabric -- Palmachniks, kibbutzniks and war refugees -- interact in deeply emotional scenes that portray Israels internal and external struggles in its founding years.

The well-timed remake in Israels fiftieth year shows a "magic touch from the young theater... the play reveals a new ability to uncover the internal secret of life," according to Moshe Shamir. Gadi Inbar directs this production by the Beer Sheva Municipal Theater, which stars Sharon Tsur and Efrat Rayten. Original music was written by Israeli pop star Meir Banai.

Bat Sheva Dance Companys latest creation, entitled "Sabotage Baby," premiered in December, in a production that follows the companys tradition of shock, creativity and originality. The premier combines wild costumes, creative lighting, choreography by Ohad Naharin and music by two Dutch musicians. Overall, the work offers "surprise after surprise." Bat Sheva will be touring with earlier works during the winter.

The Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, Israels leading school of the arts, has added new life to its 90-year-old program. The school has completed the first year of a post-graduate program for young artists, designed to nurture creativity. Established in order to provide "the optimal environment for research, criticism and creative development of young artists," the program invites artists who have completed degrees in art to spend two years in the studio, guided by individual teachers, while participating in workshops and general studies. This program is a premier to Bezalels more grandiose plan: to establish a Master of Fine Arts program in 1998, which has already been approved by Israels Council for Higher Education.

The 13th International Harp Contest

The 13th International Harp Contest features the work of Israeli composers, one Israeli contestant, and new compositions performed by the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. The Israeli harpist, Julie Lang Bunzel, is joined by 44 others from 20 countries around the world for a gala event that will also celebrate Israels 50th Anniversary. On January 30 the Contest will open with a Festive Concert in Jerusalem, in which all previous first prize winners have been invited to perform.

The Contest is a thriving forum for new harp compositions. It has commissioned a sonata for solo harp written by Jan Freidlin, a recent immigrant from Russia. The three finalists will play a new concerto by Murray R. Schafer (Canada) for harp and orchestra with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by well-known Israeli conductor Yoel Levy. A number of harpists in this Contest will play new works by Israeli composers: Lustig, Maayani and Natra. A prize in the name of the founder of the Contest, A.Z. Propes, will be awarded for the best rendition of this work.

The Leonard Bernstein International Composing Competition completed its third year in the beginning of December, with Honorary Mentions to Ramon Lazkano of Spain and Pascal Dusapin of France. Their compositions were performed at the Laureate Gala Concert by the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra. The four other finalists included Shinuh Lee from Korea, Jose Luis Campana of Argentina, and Gabriel Iranyi from Israel.

Opening: The Art of the Holocaust

Michael Smuss only began painting ten years ago, but once the now-72-year old painter began, memories flooded out. Smuss is a Holocaust survivor, and one of the few remaining fighters from the Warsaw Ghetto uprising. His paintings depict eyewitness accounts of many oft-recounted scenes from World War, and many that are not commonly recounted.

Smuss vivid recollections are portrayed in disturbing detail. His scenes are realistic, while inserting commentary and sometimes critical indictment of the society that induced mass destruction. After decades of silence during which he barely ever mentioned his experience, Smuss paints scenes from the darkest areas of his memory, such as "The Day God was Absent," "Fence of Life," and "Mutzen Up," all recounting concentration camp life, and death in vivid color and compelling human figures.

The difficult but captivating images have been shown at Yad Mordechai, Kibbutz Lochamei haGettaot, and has been used as an educational exhibit for the IDF soldiers. European, particularly German, audiences have taken a deep interest, and German producers recently created a documentary on his life. On February 21, Smuss work will show at theTampa Bay Holocaust Memorial Museum and Education Center, for the first time in the US on February 21.

Kibbutz Dance Company Performs for 50th

Internet Fiesta: "The People of the Book have become the people of the Web." Thus declared Martin Kaminer, the impetus behind a massive web convention devoted to Jewish soul, spirit and stomach on the Internet. Produced by Kaminer, journalist Yosef Abramowitz and project producer Alisa Schwartz, the trio contrived to bring together the widest constituents of Jewish life since "the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai 3,700 years ago." 613 Jewish sites (an interesting parallel to the number of mitzvot according to Jewish tradition), ranging from education, religion, and politics to art, literature and food will be featured; lectures and retrospectives are also planned. Prizes will be awarded at the weeks end in an on-line ceremony, and a mass prayer will be spoken to over 600,000 expected participants. The event takes place from February 22-27, for more information, find: http://www.jww.org or getinvolved@jww.org or (617) 558-9491.

Prizes: "The Queen of Red Hearts," a short film created by Ron Tal, and author Etgar Keret won first prize at the Korto Festival in Italy for short films. It is the first short in the series "Short Films About Love," shown at the Jerusalem Film Festival.

The Institute for the Translation of Hebrew Literature has awarded its 1997 Translation Prize to Jacob Hessing, for his German translation of "The Way to the Cats," by Yehoshua Kenaz. The Special Translation Prize was Awarded to Refaat Fouda for his Arabic translation of Amos Oz famous "My Michael." Applications are being accepted for the 1998 prizes until January 1, 1998.

Bezalel students took first prize in an international competition for the design of Sarajevo University, to be built in Bosnia. Sharon Karni, Yarom Azran and Giora Boss, students in the Department of Architecture, created the winning plan to be used as the basis for the future universitys actual design.

Ronen Borshevsky, a Rubin Academy graduate and former associate conductor of the Tel Aviv Symphony Orchestra, won third prize in the Tokyo international music competition for conducting.

Aishet Hayil in Israel: Thirty-two artists and a vast array of Judaica ranging from wall hangings to woodblocks honor Bezalel pioneer Julia Keiner Forchheim. In 1936, Forchheim opened the handweaving department of Bezalel, and the exhibit of Yeshiva University students artwork is dedicated to her memory. The art represents Judaica in every form, and is centered on the theme of Aishet Hayil, the only Biblical hymn dedicated to a women. The exhibit has traveled extensively in past months, and opens in Israel on December 28.