‘ETTY’ on stage in Israel

Etty Hillesum in Amsterdam, 1941

 

 

 

 

‘The Girl Who Could Not Kneel’, a play based on the Etty Hillesum’s diaries, directed by Baruch Brenner and Sammy Ibrahim Mussa will be brought on stage (at last !!) in Israel by the Nissan Nativ Acting Studio Jerusalem.
During the second world war, Etty Hillesum, a 27 year old Jewish woman living in occupied Amsterdam started writing a diary which sets out to describe her exeptional inner journey. These unique notes (the original book in Dutch: ‘Etty, De nagelaten geschriften van Etty Hillesum, 1941-1943‘ has 880 pages!!) unveil the story of a woman who’s to face inner and outer pain trough the kind of powerful belief that also gives compassion and strength to others. Etty Hillesum’s story is one of victory by inner reactions and moral judgements in times where the world restlessly sways between injustices and brutality.
She decides not to shut her eyes but to become herself a source of light that will nourish her surroundings with strength.

The book, short version, in English

 

 

 

 

Etty Hillesum was murdered on November the 30th, 1943 in Ausschwitz.
In Tel-Aviv, you can watch the play, at the ZOA Theatre House, Ibn Giverol Street 26 (03-69.59.341) on:
Tuesday May 5th and Wednesday May 6th at 8.30 pm

“…Suddenly everything is changed, by what kind of inner process I don’t know. But it is different… A thousand oppressive fetters are shaken off. Now freely I do breath. I feel strong and with resplendent eyes I look around. I’ve stopped wanting to possess. I am free. Now I am possess everything. My inner wealth is immeasurable…” (Etty, March 17, 1941 -Amsterdam)

Tags: amsterdam, ausschwitz, baruch brenner, diaries, etty hillesum, nissan nativ acting studio, sammy ibrahim mussa, second world war, tel aviv, zoa theatre