Using no words, the Mystorin  Theater Group brings the beauty of Hebrew texts to Israeli and international audiences creating a unique theatrical poetry that can be understood by speakers of all languages. Our model combines theatrical performances, Jewish traditional learning of the texts that inspired the performances, creative workshops and facilitated discussions. The group encompassing some ten artists, both Israeli- born and former immigrants from the FSU, are an integral part of the creative process; actors study ancient texts and their personal interpretations of these texts are incorporated into the performance.

Through movement, singing and visual theater the performances of the Mystorin group in Israel and abroad reflect the narratives of Jewish texts and communicate with the audience both as a story and as a total visual experience with a strong emotional impact, providing an innovative manner of exposing both Jews and non-Jews to the beauty of Jewish texts, and creating a contemporary Jewish culture.

“Baalei Shem”, the new outdoor performance of the Mystorin theatre group, offered thousands of spectators a new poetic narrative in which images of Hebrew letters, Hasidic stories, singing of traditional piutim and allusions to the Holocaust were interwoven. For many of the close to 4000 viewers it was a first encounter with Judaism and Jews that was not specifically Holocaust-related but vibrant and creative. They were moved by the beauty and the spiritual strength that can be found within the Jewish tradition.

The performance at Krakow’s Main Square was combined with discussions with the audience, seminars and batei midrash where texts that inspired the project were studied in connection to the spiritual Jewish history of Eastern Europe. During these seminars participants were able to learn more about the Hassidic tradition, its connection to Poland and the role it played in the evolvement of Jewish spiritual thought. Seminars also provided insights into the creative process behind “Baalei Shem” and showed how we find inspiration in Hassidic rituals to create modern theatre thus demonstrating the continuity between Jewish past and present.

Before WWII the Jewish population of Krakow was estimated at 60.000 people. The city was an eminent Jewish activity center, with more than 300 synagogues, and flourishing culture, education and welfare institutions. After the Holocaust and the anti-Semite persecutions of the 1960s, all those ceased to exist. Walking through the streets of Kazimierz, the old Jewish neighborhood, situated in the very heart of modern Krakow, both Jews and non-Jews cannot stay indifferent to what happened there. The Holocaust has left behind feelings of sadness, guilt, anger and shame.

The project of the Mystorin theatre group brought Jewish culture back to the streets of Krakow offering both Jews and non Jews a way to remember the Holocaust together without hatred, a way that will not lessen the tragedy but provided possibilities for tolerance, partnership, understanding and coexistence.

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Each festival was a happening for the whole family. At the beginning of the evening, young children and parents enjoyed creative workshops, drum circles and “Loftgisheft” street theater. During the remainder of the evening, everyone enjoyed the performances put on by the best local and national talents.

On 30 June, the Festival took place at the Harod Spring National Park; 2009`s first Festival BeShekel. About 9,000 people enjoyed the spectacular festival for the affordable coast of a symbolic one Shekel. The event in Gilboa was our first ever Jewish-Arab Festival. It was a tremendous success, drawing one of our biggest audiences ever.

On 6 July, the Festival took place in Jerusalem`s Katamonim neighborhood, at the Elmaliach Park. About 7,000 attended the event. Artistic Director Shaanan Streett noted “The festivals bring a family atmosphere and allow everyone to participate. I saw three different generations enjoying the event, having walked from nearby buildings and homes.”

On 8 July, the final Festival took place in the municipal Gandhi Park, in Lod. Some 6,000 people attended the festival, produced together with the “Cultural Leaders” group – Jewish and Arab youth from Lod.

In Israel today, 70% of the population between the ages 18-45, both Jewish and Arab, cannot afford to participate in cultural events more than once a year. 75% of Israel’s peripheral and marginalized communities suffer from high rates of unemployment and lack of government investment and therefore most of the citizens living in these areas are not exposed to significant cultural events. The Israeli-Arab community faces an even more complicated situation because it is underprivileged in many aspects and the development of art and culture are a low priority in resource planning by the authorities.

Festival BeShekel, a non-profit organization founded in 2001 by a group of artists and activists for social change, recognizes that culture and art are an essential component of a healthy and democratic society, contributing to the intellectual capital and economic vitality of our communities as well as our understanding of the human experience.

Festival BeShekel nurtures a culture of understanding by encouraging cultural and artistic cooperation and dialogue between Jews and Arabs living in mixed communities in Israel. Through our project we aim to empower and unify these mixed communities through a constant dialogue between equals held in the universal language of art, a language which can help overcome differences, co-create and co-exist. We believe that in this fragile time it is even more crucial to make coexistence and artistic expression a genuine possibility.

In the present situation of increasing economic crisis, as the social and economic divide widens between center and periphery regions, Festival BeShekel is working to decrease this divide through cultural production and strengthening community in the geographic, cultural and economic periphery. The Festival is not just a musical event; it is an entire social process that extends over the year leading up to the summer Festival. Throughout the year, the NGO works to strengthen trh local youth, which is involved with planning and producing all the events during the year, leading up to the finale—the national summer festivals. The local production group, Cultural Leaders, made up of 30 youth in each location, representing the wide range of communities and towns they come from—religious and secular, immigrants and old-timers, Jews and Arabs.

In 2008, Festival BeShekel came to Kiryat Malachi, where its impact was very real. One of the local peer mentors there said, after a successful event: “The kids [who participate in the planning process] said to me, “Who will even want to donate to our cause? Who will even attend the event? You don’t know Kiryat Malachi. People won’t even pay one shekel!” The event turned out amazing–something changed in the group and in me. We were very excited. I felt that the shared experience changed something in them, in the way they looked at their lives. What seemed impossible to them became reality. Suddenly, there was motivation that wasn’t there previously, that they could produce the whole festival on their own.” The local Cultural group continues planning cultural events in Kiryat Malachi throughout 2009, in partnership with the local municipality, and with continued guidance from Festival BeShekel staff.

Gilboa’s festival will feature: Zehava Ben, Sharif, Muki, Beit ha’Bubot, Eifoh ha’Yeled, and Peshutei ha’Am.

Jerusalem’s festival will host: Mercedez Band, Alma Zahar, Asaf Avidan, Ashkara Metim, Harel Moyal, and Idan Yaniv. And in Lod, the following groups will perform: Hadag Nahash, D.A.M, Achinoam Nini, Mira Awad, Michael Graylsamer, and Haim Ooliel.