Celebrate Yom Ha'atzmaut at "Without an Evil Eye" at Temple Emeth

By Susie Davidson

Here's a meaningful way to observe Yom Ha'atzmaut (Israel Independence Day), which falls this year on the evening of April 30. Brookline-based Hakesher ("The Connection") is presenting "Without an Evil Eye", a one-man play performed by Asaf Ben-Shimon, with a post-event celebration running until 10 p.m. that will feature live Israeli music and dancing with the Kafkafim band, a raffle with cool prizes, vendor tables featuring unique items, and being a Jewish event, of course a variety of delicious food options.

The show relates the amazing story of Asaf Ben Shimon and his journey through loss of vision as he realizes his dream of becoming an actor. It's a monodrama/standup comedy that's funny, affecting, and encompasses common human values like faith, dreams, and recognition of the goodness in basic humanity.

According to the Tel Aviv-based Hanoch Levin Institute of Israeli Drama (named for Levin, a famed Israeli playwright), Asaf's genetic disease, known as RP, results in a slow and gradual loss of vision. "His daily challenge to solve and overcome obstacles results in infinite solutions: How to get through a first date in darkness, how to get home by bus, how to dare and audition for acting school," its page on the play continues. "The stigma of considering a blind person as a victim is broken by allowing the spectator to experience things from Asaf's perspective."

That perspective is an introspective one that emphasizes the human soul and all of its hopes and dreams, its abilities and capabilities -- not on a physical impediment. That doesn't mean it's easy. "In order to achieve one`s goals, one must live in the present and continually battle with negative feelings from the past and fears for the future," the page adds.

Ben-Shimon incorporates his North African cultural beginnings: its music, songs, themes, character. He tells stories with a Shakespearian bearing that's spellbinding and enchanting. It certainly promises to take us out of our usual mindsets and ways of looking at things.

Annette Zrihen of Brookline founded HaKesher, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, in 2003 in response to requests by readers and advertisers of her Smart Israpages Directory. Since 1995, she had served as the volunteer coordinator of Boston's Israeli House. HaKesher provides cultural, social, business and educational community services to the Israeli/Jewish community of Greater Boston and beyond. Her past events have featured Israeli and American performers Yehoram Gaon, T-Packs, Meir Banai, Tuvia Tsafir, Joe Amar, Shuli Natan, and others, in addition to Israeli movie screenings, dance events, Mimouna events, book clubs, bible discussions, tech gatherings, children`s programs, and other programming.

She has produced HaKesher Magazine for Hebrew speakers and community networking services. Her website portal includes job referrals and newcomer orientation as well as a database of Israeli folk dance videos.

"Sight is just one of the senses; It's most important to see the person in front of us, not the limitation," Zrihen, who is herself visually impaired, told The Journal. "The ability to see does not define the person - it's the open heart and the understanding soul that make the difference," she said.

"Without an Evil Eye" was named a "Best Play" by ASSITEJ International network of artists and global organizations, and received an Award for Excellence by the Ministry of Education. The show is produced by Nephesh Theatre, a Tel-Aviv-based theatre organization led by artistic director Howard Rypp that was founded in Canada in 1978, and cowritten and directed by Sarel Peterman. It is performed in Hebrew with English subtitles. Tax-deductible donations and sponsorships to help HaKesher with its work are welcomed and will be acknowledged in promotional materials, newsletters and at the event itself.

Tickets are $35 in advance, $40 day of event, and $25 for students, for "Without an Evil Eye" play & Yom Haatzmaut celebration, Wednesday, April 30 (Erev Yom Ha`atzmaut), at Temple Emeth, Brookline.

For info & tickets, please visit tinyurl.com/apr30hakesher, call (617) 738-5038, or email AnnetteZrihen@gmail.com.

"Without An Evil Eye" Video Links:

Behind the Scenes

Trailer