Two Israeli actors of Iraqi origin have founded a multicultural repertory theatre dedicated to staging the heritage and forgotten stories of Jews from Arab lands. The project is called ‘Shahar’ ((Dawn).
Actor Uri Gabriel and actor and playwright Gilit Yitzhaki were inspired to start their project following the success of ‘Daddy’s Girls’ (Habanot shel Abba), a play about two generations of an Iraqi-Jewish family which survived the Farhud pogrom, escaped from Iraq and came to Israel. The play, which was written by Yitzhaki, has been playing to packed houses up and down the country.
Introducing the Shahar project in a Facebook video clip, Uri Gabrieli says:” this is the dawn of a new day!״ He and Gilit Yizhaki have set up a website (English version top right) to attract funding.
Backers purchase tickets from the website for a play to be staged in February. The aim is to collect the 120, 000 shekels needed to finance Shahar’s first production. If the target is not met, contributors will receive a refund.
The next production will be based on Salim Fattal’s memoir In the alleys of Baghdad. Shahar will also run workshops, discussions and social activities.
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