Itamar, the First Hebrew Child - HaSha'a HaYisraelit Theater

The play tells the personal story of Ben-Zion Ben-Yehuda, known as Itamar Ben-Avi, son of Eliezer Ben-Yehuda, the reviver of the Hebrew language. His complex and unique story is, in fact, the story of a revolution. The Hebrew language, considered in those days an ancient tongue, a holy language taken from the scriptures, shakes off its deep sleep and, with Ben-Zion's help, "descends to the people," trying to become a language spoken fluently by everyone. Ben-Zion was raised on the knees of the Hebrew language. For years he was forbidden to associate with children his age who did not speak his language. On his eighth birthday, his dream comes true and he leaves the house for the first time. To his astonishment, he discovers that the children are not eager to play with "the first Hebrew child" and go along with the general boycott imposed on his family. Ben-Zion is torn between his wish to be surrounded by friends and his wish to continue his father's vision and spread the Hebrew language. In his own special way, he manages to connect with children his age, finds a balance between his heart's wishes, and gives his own meaning to the title "the first Hebrew child." The play is accompanied by songs and wordplay and colorfully examines themes such as language, belonging, society and identity. Play: Yael Tillman and Noa Lazar Keinan. Directing: Yael Tillman. Music: Daniel Solomon. Cast: Or Meir / Liran Kantorovich, Hadar Bernstein / Elinor David.