By Jennie Starr
SAN DIEGO — When we first learned about the Wandering Israeli, a show performed more than 600 times across Israel and regularly at National Theater, the Cameri, and their US tour, we knew it was a show that would provide an evening of connection to Israel we’re always looking to share with San Diegans.
Israel lies hours away and for many even a visit is beyond their budget. Living in Israel for many Americans seems only a dream. Israelis who choose to leave, and live somewhere else, will tell you no matter how many years pass they will always feel that connection to Israel too and not just because of family they miss living there, but because Israel is a part of who they are, how they think, and how they feel. Israel is with them wherever they go.
Elad Shippony the playwright and actor who takes us on this journey, was raised in Los Angeles moving to Israel while still in his youth when his family made Aliyah. He took the route most Israelis do, finishing school, army, and then travel. As he ventured across the globe, interacting with people on several continents and sharing positive stories about Israel, he built genuine connections, making friends and lasting relationships. He picked up Spanish, Arabic, and strengthened his English too.
Two musicians, Sagi Eiland and Eran Edri, weave in incredible original songs in English and in Hebrew, leveraging hand drums, guitars and more into the stories with the theme song relaying the sentiment that no matter how far Israelis travel, how good it is to come home.
This show connects us and Israel through that feeling, the pangs or “gaaguim” we feel when we are missing the flavor, food, people and place. When we have the opportunity to bring artists who have inherently captured that essence to bring us Israel, we do everything we can to bring them here.
The Wandering Israeli US tour opens in San Diego and includes shows in Los Angeles, Palo Alto, and New Jersey. In San Diego, the show will be on Saturday, September 10, 2016 at Qualcomm Hall at 8:30 p.m. Immediately following there will be a documentary that shares Elad’s experience returning to Jordan where he lived and rekindling relationships with old friends there. A question and answer session will follow. Tickets at http://www.tarbuton.org/events $20 through 8/30 and $25 thereafter. Email: info@tarbuton.org.
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Starr is the founder of the Tarbuton Cultural Center in San Diego.