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Community, Couples, Family, Guest post, Home, Starcatcher, Welcoming All

A Place to Call Home: Guest post by Rachel Sofaer

JET

When I think about the impact that community theatre has had on my life, the answer is one you may not expect. Of course, I love the actual process of being involved with a show, from the auditions to the rehearsals and the performances. Theatre has been my hobby since I was a kid and I’ve been involved with a number of different companies. However, what is different about the English community theatre scene in Jerusalem is that we are about more than the show. There is a sense of unity being among Israelis, many of which are Olim or children of Olim.

As an olah who made aliyah five years ago, this community has been my rock. I first discovered them when a friend told me about auditions for A Chorus Line, being produced by Encore Youth and Starcatcher. At the time, I was studying at a midrasha in Bat Ayin, which was rather isolated and, beyond the beautiful surroundings, there wasn’t much to do. I jumped at the opportunity to audition for this show, but I didn’t know what to expect. I arrived at auditions not knowing anyone, but people were welcoming and there was a friendly atmosphere.  I had the best audition of my life and I had a great feeling about this production. Little did I know that this would be my first of five shows working with Starcatcher. I had found my people.

After my first show, I wanted to see what else was out there so I went on to work with AACI and Beit Hillel and meet more people. When someone first moves to a country, it’s difficult to make friends and feel immediately comfortable. I believe that having a strong support system around you is vital. I made aliyah after living in Israel for a year, and one of the biggest reasons that made me feel I could be at home here was the theatre community. I didn’t feel like I was on my own because I not only saw my cast mates at rehearsals, but also at Shabbat meals and weekday hang outs. One of these get-togethers actually led me to meet my husband, Jojo, who came to see J-Town Playhouse’s production of Second Star to the Left. We happened to sit next to each other at dinner on closing night, he told me he was single, and we hit it off right away. All right, all Chicago references aside, it was a significant night for me, and one that wouldn’t have happened without the fact that theatre people have the urge to spend 24/7 together during a run.

Since that night, we have enjoyed countless chagim and Shabbatot together with our mutual friends from the theatre. We are both olim with a small number of relatives in Israel, so these people have really become like our family. People have given us advice about living in Israel and have always welcomed us into their homes (thanks Kaufmans).

I strongly encourage anyone that is looking for a wonderful group of people to not only perform with, but to build a life with, to check out the Jerusalem community theatre scene. It has been a life-changing experience for me and one I am eternally grateful for.


Community, Family, Home

What Theater Means to Me

JET

Featuring one of our bloggers, Marty Weisel.

My love for performing began when I first learned to walk. I would take a few steps and while everyone was watching I would fake fall, look up at my “audience”, and wait for a reaction. On my 4th birthday, my parents gave me a puppet theater and I would spend hours having the puppets act and sing all of my favorite stories. As I got older, my sisters and I performed full musicals in the living room for my parents and grandparents and I participated in every school play.  

Soon after making aliyah, I opened a children’s theater troupe in Maaleh Adumim, and had the pleasure of bringing a love a theater to the next generation.  In the first year, the children performed an original musical telling the backstory of the Genie from Aladdin. For many of the children, this was their first experience performing on a stage, and the positive feedback from both the children and their parents encouraged me to continue with the troupe with an even more complicated production the following year. With double the number of children participating, and several neighborhood volunteers, Aliyah the Musical, also an original show, came to life.  The story was one that touched the heart of all who were part of the production and all who saw the performances. The best part of working with the children over the two years was seeing the growth in their confidence and their excitement about every aspect of theater.

I was excited to discover that there is an active English-speaking theater community in Jerusalem. From my first experience as an audience member at one of the shows (HMS Pinafore in 2012), I realized that something amazing was happening.  Not only was there tremendous energy and talent, but the actors were clearly having the time of their lives! I soon became friends with a few of the actors and was invited to the Davies and Kaufman annual Chanukah party. It only took 30 seconds at the party to feel so much at home in this warm community. There is no other community as unique as the one we have here, with everyone so open and supportive.  The more time I spend with the theater community, the more I realize how special it is.

Theater means a lot to me and is an important part of my life.  My current project is opening up a Theater Center in Givaat Shaul, with a newly renovated amazing rehearsal space. This venue is versatile with availability for all type and sizes of groups, classes, workshops, and events. Having the opportunity to share the experience of theater as a director with the children’s troupe, and spending time with the Jerusalem English community, I am even more aware of the benefits and enjoyment people of all ages can gain from involvement in theater.