Testimonials

”...powerful, illuminating, beautifully performed.”
-Alicia Ostriker

"Israel is a complicated place because it contains the entirety of the Jewish experience. The three characters in "Becoming Israel" present distinct experiences from three historical eras, but each story is connected to a larger context. This reflects both a historical truth and an emotional response shared by many who have experienced Israel: that the stories of Israel are both many, and one."

"Initially, 'Becoming Israel' presents three types of encounters with the Jewish State. But as the play progresses, the audience becomes aware that the characters, although well-defined as individuals, are inextricably enmeshed through their names as well as through their historical and familial connections. The show provides the context for both contemporary and ancient encounters, while asking questions that prevent the show from edging into blind idealism."
—Esther Kustanowitz

‘contemporary and ancient’—
Amichai’s cut from the above by Esther Kustanowitz

"Becoming Israel"  provided my congregation with a wonderful opportunity to witness Jacob's ancient struggle with self and purpose and how that inner conflict is a part of us today.  Storahtelling masterfully connected modern tensions and journeys to the ancient Biblical narrative.  Becoming Israel makes the past come alive.
 
Rabbi Gregory S. Marx
Congregation Beth Or
Maple Glen, Pa 

"The preview of Becoming Israel was the first Storahtelling piece I had ever seen.  I was impressed with the obvious amount of effort put into making it a relatable, thought provoking, high quality production."   
-Arlene Sorkin, Continental Director

 
“With ‘Becoming Israel,’ Storahtelling brings to life not only the timeless message of Torah, but also the epochal events of 60 years ago, while demonstrating how the rebirth of the Jewish people is being played out within each of us.   The engaging dialogue zigzags across the centuries with astounding power.  And in the end, my congregants were in tears.”
-Rabbi Joshua Hammerman
Temple Beth El, Stamford CT
(203) 322-6901 X307

 

Testimonials from 5/14 JCC Manhattan BI Benefit

"The performance  of Becoming Israel was exquisitely moving, beautifully acted, wonderfully directed and staged, and created by a Creator. We cannot thank you enough. In less than a year, Erev Yom Kippur, and last night, Storahtelling gave us spiritual and community engagement for which there was no precedent in our lives."
 
"Extraordinary evening-  I know that your interpretation will accompany me in the nights of my wrestlings, as I am hopefully becoming...
I am deeply grateful for your teachings."

"Not a dry eye in the crowd.  Amazingly smart, and the acting and performance really connected with the audience."

"This is such an interesting combination of an educational as well as entertainment experience."

"Wonderful showcase of the talent of Storahtelling"

"I was completely wowed by last evening's display of creativity, depth, emotion.  Wrestling, indeed.  What better way to frame the situation ... You have managed to touch upon just about every issue in the Israeli dialogue -- from the Shoah, the Arab Israeli issue, the relations between American and Israeli Jews, the unaffiliated Jew, the rationale for a Jewish state, the text, sibling rivalry (American/Israeli, Arab/Israeli), etc.  The list can go on and on ... The opportunities moving forward with this production are limitless."

 

 

 

"More than anything, Becoming Israel made me think. It raised so many questions that I want answered, that I want to discuss with other Jewish teenagers. The struggles that the characters experience in the show are some of the very struggles I dealt with when spending time in Israel myself. It was fascinating how I found a bit of myself in each of the three characters. They are so relatable, and I felt a very strong connection to each of them and to their stories."
--Yael Zinkow, teenager
Bronfman Youth Fellowships in Israel '07