WRESTLING JERUSALEM to Play Oshman Family JCC- Schultz Cultural Arts Hall, 9/20

The Oshman Family JCC presents Aaron Davidman's groundbreaking and critically acclaimed solo show Wrestling Jerusalem. Set in America, Israel, and Palestine, the play follows one man's journey to understand the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Davidman's performance is a personal story that grapples with the complexities of identity, history, and social justice. Giving voice to over a dozen different characters, the play sheds light on one of the most entrenched conflicts of our time. Wrestling Jerusalem will be presented at 8pm Sunday, September 20, 2015 at the Oshman Family JCC- Schultz Cultural Arts Hall, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. For tickets ($25-$30) and more information visit http://paloaltojcc.org/Events/wrestling-jerusalem or call (650) 223-8649.

Called a "remarkable solo performance" and "riveting" by the San Francisco Chronicle, Wrestling Jerusalem is Davidman's attempt to make sense of the endlessly protracted conflict over what, for several major religions, is the Holy Land. Embodying twelve different characters ranging from a Muslim to a Holocaust survivor, from a lieutenant commander in the Special Forces to an Arab woman, Davidman's tour de force posits the timely question of whether or not a resolution to this centuries-old conflict is possible.

Aaron Davidman is a playwright, director, actor, and producer. He served as Artistic Director of Traveling Jewish Theatre in San Francisco from 2001-2011. Among many projects at TJT, he co-wrote and directed the international collaboration Blood Relative about the Israeli-Palestinian story, directed TJT's critically acclaimed production of Death of a Salesman, and co-wrote and performed in God's Donkey, which toured the United States. He originated the role of Momik Neuman in Corey Fischer's Kennedy Center Award-winning play See Under: Love, based on the David Grossman novel. As an actor he has performed at SF Playhouse, California Shakespeare Theatre, Utah Shakespearean Festival, Shotgun Players, Theatre J, and Arena Stage, among others. Davidman received an MFA in Creative Writing/Playwriting from San Francisco State University. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and received his theatrical training at Carnegie Mellon University. He is a recipient of the New Generations Fellowship from Theatre Communications Group.

Michael John Garcés (Director) serves as the Artistic Director of Cornerstone Theater in Los Angeles. Apart from Wrestling Jerusalem, Garcés has also directed such notable works as Acts of Mercy at the Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, on edge and the ride at the Humana Festival and red, black and GREEN: a blues by Marc Bamuthi Joseph at REDCAT and The Brooklyn Academy of Music. He is on the executive board of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society. He is a recipient of the Rockwood Arts and Culture Fellowship, the Princess Grace Statue, the Alan Schneider Director Award, a TCG/New Generations Grant, the Non-Profit Excellence Award from the Center of Non-Profit Management, and is a Southern California Leadership Network Fellow.

The Oshman Family Jewish Community Center (OFJCC) on the Taube Koret Campus for Jewish Life serves the South Peninsula through educational, social, cultural, fitness, sports and other programs. The OFJCC is a multi-generational Jewish neighborhood where all are welcome and which fosters new personal and community connections through rich and rewarding experiences. The OFJCC provides a common ground for Jewish institutions, other local groups, organizations and individuals to work, learn and play together for the betterment of the whole community. The OFJCC's registered trademark is Live Fully.

Photo credit: Ken Friedman