Human Suffering and God’s Tears

The U.S. Premiere Performance of “Heschel’s Passover Eve”

Wednesday, December 6, 2023
7:00 p.m. ET
At JTS

Set in April 1968, “Heschel’s Passover Eve” is a solo performance that follows Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel as he prepares for a special Seder to which he has invited his friend and traveling companion Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. His preparations infuse the Festival of Freedom with universal meanings–linking the call of “Let my people go” to the struggle for human rights, social justice, the State of Israel, and Jewish peoplehood. 

The performance will be followed by a discussion with JTS Chancellor Dr. Shuly Rubin Schwartz, Dr. Andrew Rehfeld, President of Hebrew Union College, and Rabba Sara Hurwitz, Co-Founder and President Yeshivat Maharat. Rabbi Gordon Tucker will serve as moderator. 

This event is sponsored by the American Zionist Movement and presented by the Office of the Vice Chairman of the World Zionist Organization. The play comes to North American audiences for its first English-language production after a successful run in Israel, the UK, and South America in its original Hebrew. 

Cast: Eric Berger as Abraham Joshua Heschel 
Playwright: Eran Shavit 
Director: Yoni Eilat 
Music: Alon Azizi 
American Production: Shazur / Interwoven 
Academic Consultant: Dror Bondi

Cost: $36 general admission, $10 for students 
All proceeds will benefit AZM’s Israel Emergency Relief Fund. 

Please plan to arrive 15 minutes early to allow for JTS security procedures. 

ASL interpretation is available if requested by November 29; please contact publicevents@jtsa.edu.  

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