The Women's Performance Community
of Jerusalem
To date, the WPC has held the following events:
2016
FEBRUARY: Clowning Around
The life of a medical clown, presented by medical clown Julie Levi
MARCH: Stars Over Jerusalem
A night of talent and personal stories, presenting singer Yocheved Herzfeld,
comedienne Devorah Altonaga, comedienne Hani Skutch,
and singer Sarah Spielman
APRIL: Triumph of the Tambourines
A night of percussion celebrating the upcoming redemption, presented by drummer
Arella Mayer
MAY-DECEMBER: Count the Stars
A full-scale musical production with 60 cast members. Check out the creative team behind the magic.
2017
JANUARY: Stars Over Jerusalem
A night of talent and personal stories, presenting singer Sara Lopez, comedienne Devorah Altonaga, singer and dancer Batya Israel
MARCH 1: Laugh Over Life
An improv workshop presented by improv professional Debbie Hirsch
MARCH 29: A Musical Amen Party
An evening of treats, blessings and music, presenting singers Michal Ekebom, Carol Goldberg, Miriam Leichman, Avital Macales, Chaya Weintraub
MAY: Improvisation 101
Launching a series of improv courses for women, presented by improv professional Debbie Hirsch
JUNE: Moshe Rabbenu's Last Journey
A bibliodrama workshop presented by bibliodrama expert Yael Unterman
JULY: If I Forget Thee
A night of poetry in honor of Jerusalem and the Nine Days, presenting 16 poets from greater Jerusalem
OCTOBER: Stars Over Jerusalem - A Yom HaAliyah Celebration!
A night of talent and personal stories about immigrating to Israel in honor of "Yom Ha'Aliyah" day. Presenting: Rachel Stomel, Gayle Berman, Sarah Zier, Batya Medad, and Ellen Macales
2018
FEBRUARY: In Perfect Harmony
Three exquisite women's choirs in a joint concert, filling Jerusalem with music,
presenting Hadassah Jacob's "Dorot" choir (Jerusalem), Gayle Berman's
"Kolot Etzion" choir (Gush Etzion) and Ellen Macales's "Doron" choir (Rehovot)
MAY: Stars Over Jerusalem - Lag Ba'Omar Special
A night of talent and personal stories, presenting comedienne Leah Bassett, singer-actor Miriam Leah Gamilel, musician Yehudit Batya Shrager and mime Leeba Rapeport
JUNE: ABSOLUTe Improv
A night full of laughs presented by the hilarious comedy trio Debbie Hirsch, Julie Levi and Avital Macales
JULY: Remembering the Hidden
Honoring the secret Jews of Spain through an evening of personal stories by descendants of crypto-Jews - Hannah Finkel and Ninoska Ravid, beautiful Ladino music by the Kolot Etzion choir, and a sneak preview of our upcoming musicl, Hidden: The Secret Jews of Spain
MAY-NOVEMBER: Hidden - The Secret Jews of Spain
A full-scale musical production with 60 cast members. Check out
2019
MARCH: From Darkness to Light
Singer-songwriter Amy Schwartz regaled the audience with stories from the roller coaster ride of her life that brought her from darkness to light, laughter, and song.
MAY: The Sounds of Freedom
A diverse line-up of performers presented their unique connection to the meaning of "freedom" through poetry, spoken word, and song.
JULY: Beyond Words
Multi-talented mime and dancer Leeba Rappeport pulled us into the magical world of pantomime and entertained us with stories, playfulness and a fun mime workshop.
AUGUST: "Operation Wedding" Documentary
The riveting documentary by Anat Zalmanson-Kuznetsov was screened to a full house, telling the story of a group of refuseniks in USSR in 1970, among them Anat's parents, Sylva Zalmanson and Eduard Kuznetsov, who attempted to "hijack" an empty plane to escape the tyrannical country.
DECEMBER: From Prisoner to Painter
Former Prisoner of Zion, Sylva Zalmanson, of the famous 1970 attempt to "hijack" a plane to escape the USSR ("Operation Wedding"), exhibited her paintings in a special one-night event.
2020
MARCH-TODAY: Keeping Active During COVID-19
This global pandemic has been challenging for everyone. The WPC co-founders try to find ways to have fun nonetheless. Watch here:
APRIL: Chad Gadya Video
Watch as the cast of "Hidden" plays out Chad Gadya, each from their own homes:
MAY: O My Yerushalayim - our first event on Zoom!
Friends from all over Jerusalem shared stories about their respective Yerushalmi neighborhoods through story, art, and song. Including: Chaya Ticker, Rita-Rivka Lewy, Diana Schiowitz, Rivka Deray, Sarah Leah Rodin, Judy Fridkis, Fagie Deana Fein, Shlomit Kovalski, and Michal Lourenco.
JUNE: Russian Language Night
Linda Friedburg introduces the world of Russian Language to us by teaching us useful phrases and songs. Relive this fun event here:
JULY: From Moscow with Love
Natalia Mikunis and Emilia Litman, a mother-daughter duo living in Moscow, gave us an exclusive review of a segment of Soviet Jewish history. Relive this exciting international event here:
SEPTEMBER: Visiting Venice... Virtually
"Rebbetzin Unplugged", the beloved Rebbetzin Shachar Banin of the Beit Chabad in Venice, took us on a virtual tour of Jewish Venice. We were also joined by classical singer Sara Lopez of Tucson, Arizona, who regaled us with an Italian aria.
NOVEMBER: Ottawa, Here We Come!
Danielle Altonaga, comedienne extraordinaire and shlicha in Ottawa, invites us to a Zoom evening of Jewish Canadian history and laughter.
2021
FEBRUARY: What's it Really Like in a Corona Hotel?
Comedienne Julie Rothschild Levi returned to Israel from a trip in the US and was required to quarantine in a special hotel for several days. She shares her adventures on Zoom, with humor and heartfelt honesty.
MAY: Your People are My People
Shannon Nuszen tells the epic story of how she transformed from a missionary to an observant Jew who is living in Israel and combating missionary efforts aimed at the Jewish people.
Special performance by singer-songwriter Batya Shachar, who joined the Jewish people after a behind-the-scenes career in Hollywood.
2022
MARCH-APRIL: Whisper Freedom, the Soviet Jewry Struggle
A full-scale musical production with a cast of more than 50 women and girls.
DECEMBER: Stars Over Jerusalem
A night of talent and personal stories, presenting musical performer Elisheva Avidar, soulful songwriter Esther Attia, and singer and actor Tamar Rabinowitz.
2023
MARCH: Your Favorite Arias and Show Tunes
Gayle Berman and Ellen Macales, two of Jerusalem's favorite musicians, regaled us with their classical singing and piano playing, presenting well-known arias and show tunes. During the evening they also gave us a glimpse into their journey to observant Judaism and how it continues to inspire their musical careers.