Words/Stage


October 17, 2006: 6:31 pm: AdministratorWords/Stage


There’s something irresistibly charming about Shakespeare’s works performed by miniature plastic figurines, an art form to which Dov Weinstein, Director of the Tiny Ninja Theater Company, is utterly dedicated. But when Weinstein was invited to perform at the London Limmud conference, his creativity ran even further amok. He somehow connected a phrase from the famed Balcony scene Romeo and Juliet, translated into Hebrew for the Acco Festival, with the opening phrase of the Babylonian Talmud, “M’Imatai.”

It was thus that the Weinstein’s inch-high plasticine puppetry madness came to explain Machseket Berakhoth 2a- Until what time can one recite Shema in the evening- and with it, the structure and nature of the mysterious text known as Talmud. In his amusing, engaging fashion, brings the story of R. Gamliel and his sons to life, along with the fascinating way in which Jewish tradition has literally been compiled.

Tiny Ninja Talmud Theater is a wonderful way to introduce the concept of Talmud study to any audience over the age of 5, and the forty-minute performance/lesson, informed by Weinstein’s observant background and his odd collection of ninjas, dime-store figurines and refrigerator magnets is perfect for a Shabbat afternoon, adult education, Hebrew or Day School. And if you already understand why it is that you can say bedtime Shema until dawn, you’ll appreciate this irresistable approach to teaching a “page” of Jewish heritage even more.


Coming Soon.

July 24, 2006: 6:56 pm: AdministratorHasidic, Words/Stage


Matthue Roth is an Orthodox paradox; a poet who davens three times a day, he riffs on the sex he didn’t have until he married, crushes on Orthodox girls, his lesbian best friends and other frustrations of being frum. Matthue has performed on HBO’s “Def Poetry Jam” series. On Friday nights he’s a regular at Chabad, but other nights he’s in front of the microphone. He is a published author and poet with two books to his credit “Never Mind the Goldbergs” and a memoir, “Yom Kippur A Go-Go.” A third book is in the works. Warning: these poems may be inappropriate for children and halachic prudes.

Dreidel Maiven
Orthodox Girls




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March 30, 2006: 6:40 pm: AdministratorWords/Stage

KEVIN COVAL is a poet and performance artist whose work looks critically at current cultural and political events via the lens of his Jewish identity. He uses hip-hop to wrestle, expose, and explore the impact of whiteness on himself and people of color. He has been featured in three seasons of the HBO Def Poetry Jam.

A Chicago Hip-Hop poet, Coval has performed on four continents in seven countries at universities, high schools, and conferences, including; The Parliament of the World’s Religions in Capetown, South Africa, African Hip-Hop Festival: Battle Cry, Poetry Society of London, Yale, Stanford and St. Xavier in Bombay, India. A member of the 2002 and 2003 National Poetry Slam Team-Chicago, His writing has appeared in The Spoken Word Revolution (Source Books), Awakening The Spirit (Skylight Paths), XCP: Cross-Cultural Poetics, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Reporter, Fly Paper and can be heard regularly on the WBEZ-FM program 848 on Chicago Public Radio.

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: 2:22 pm: AdministratorHip Hop, Words/Stage

Yuri Lane is a one man sound machine technique who takes the audience on a hip hop journey using only his mouth and a microphone. He performs full length one-man shows, freestyle beatbox with Jewish and middle eastern influences and bibliodrama workshops for youth. He is best known for his shows Soundtrack City and From Tel Aviv to Ramallah. The latter is a hip hop journey about Amir, an Israeli dj and delivery boy from Tel Aviv, and Khalid, an internet café ower from Ramallah.

Their lives intertwine when they meet at a checkpoint in this modern retelling of Jacob and Esau. Set against the backdrop of ongoing violence in Israel, Lane’s piece asks for peace, understanding and coexistence in a unique beatbox style that has captivated thousands in New York, Detroit, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Chicago. Yuri also teaches biblio-drama, beatbox lessons and shows for young audiences on Jewish themes. An engaging entertainer for audiences of all ages and backgrounds.

Hear the music: Ladies and Gentlemen Booking and performance inquiries: info@j-arts.org