Lema'an Achai is a mainly-volunteer kindness organization based in Ramat Beit Shemesh. For its first five years, its main goal was to "assist local needy families in breaking the cycle of poverty by providing them with the tools they need to cope with their problems, facilitate their growth and lead them to self-sufficiency."
However, over the past year, a large part of their efforts has been directed towards helping refugee families from Gush Katif. Among the help it has provided are food, clothes, kindergarten supplies, moving and handyman services, social workers, and more.
The organization has also taken upon itself to provide a 2,000 NIS store-credit grant for each newly-wedded Gush Katif couple - of which there have been 50 thus far.
To help raise both morale and funds, the women of Lema'an Achai have written and produced a musical drama (in English), entitled, “With an Outstretched Arm." Only three performances are scheduled: on June 14 and 15 at the Zinman Community Center in Bet Shemesh, and on June 22 at the Gerard Behar Theater in Jerusalem.
"The ongoing crisis situation of the refugees," says co-producer Batya Jerenberg, "has led a group of 50 talented women from all over Beit Shemesh, of various worldviews, to come together to raise funds and awareness."
The play features two interwoven stories onstage: the Exodus from Egypt, and the aftermath of the Expulsion from Gush Katif, both from the perspective of the women involved. The plight of mothers and daughters who find themselves stuck in a hotel room for months on end - with their faith, hopes and fears - is portrayed in a poignant manner, and the parallels in Jewish history are depicted through drama, songs, dance - and some comic relief.
The stories shared onstage by the Gush Katif women and teens were taken directly from their own words, as spoken to playwright and producer Miriam Kaplan. The play was directed by Leora Adam.
“With an Outstretched Arm" is meant to enlighten and entertain with stories of the spiritual strength of Jewish women throughout history as well as today, through the words and ideas of the refugees themselves.
The show is for women and girls only. For ticket information, click here: "www.lemaanachai.org/DisplayNews.asp?ID=28"
However, over the past year, a large part of their efforts has been directed towards helping refugee families from Gush Katif. Among the help it has provided are food, clothes, kindergarten supplies, moving and handyman services, social workers, and more.
The organization has also taken upon itself to provide a 2,000 NIS store-credit grant for each newly-wedded Gush Katif couple - of which there have been 50 thus far.
To help raise both morale and funds, the women of Lema'an Achai have written and produced a musical drama (in English), entitled, “With an Outstretched Arm." Only three performances are scheduled: on June 14 and 15 at the Zinman Community Center in Bet Shemesh, and on June 22 at the Gerard Behar Theater in Jerusalem.
"The ongoing crisis situation of the refugees," says co-producer Batya Jerenberg, "has led a group of 50 talented women from all over Beit Shemesh, of various worldviews, to come together to raise funds and awareness."
The play features two interwoven stories onstage: the Exodus from Egypt, and the aftermath of the Expulsion from Gush Katif, both from the perspective of the women involved. The plight of mothers and daughters who find themselves stuck in a hotel room for months on end - with their faith, hopes and fears - is portrayed in a poignant manner, and the parallels in Jewish history are depicted through drama, songs, dance - and some comic relief.
The stories shared onstage by the Gush Katif women and teens were taken directly from their own words, as spoken to playwright and producer Miriam Kaplan. The play was directed by Leora Adam.
“With an Outstretched Arm" is meant to enlighten and entertain with stories of the spiritual strength of Jewish women throughout history as well as today, through the words and ideas of the refugees themselves.
The show is for women and girls only. For ticket information, click here: "www.lemaanachai.org/DisplayNews.asp?ID=28"