Website : www.nepheshtheatre.co.il

Contact : nephesh@inter.net.il

Phone 972-3-5221101

Fax-972-3-5227707

Cell-973-505394971

The Nephesh Theatre was founded in 1978 by Howard Rypp (Artistic Director) and Gabriel Emanuel (Dramaturge) and was the only professional Jewish theatre operating in Canada at that time. Its initial production “Children of Night” about Polish-Jewish educator Janus Korczak had 3 different productions in Canada (in Toronto, Winnipeg and Edmonton) and participated in the first International Jewish Theatre Festival in New York 1980 featuring Len Cariou and Lou Jacobi.

After staging over 30 theatrical and television productions in Canada it’s base was relocated to Israel. Gabriel Emanuel’s play, Einstein, which Rypp directed, was the company’s first Hebrew production. Co- produced with Israel’s Habimah National Theatre, the one-man play met with great success, running for four consecutive seasons as well as being presented in productions throughout Canada and South America. To celebrate Einstein’s centenary a new production was produced in Hebrew and in English which was presented off-Broadway at La MaMa.

Up until today, the Nephesh Theatre has produced over 150 productions in Hebrew and English. The productions reflect a plurality of beliefs, depicting different communities within Israeli society that must develop a common language and achieve mutual respect. The plays  mirror the conflicts permeating Israeli society- emphasizing common bonds rather than dwelling on differences.

 Today Nephesh Theatre is a recognized repertory theatre that receives operating budgets from the Israeli government and today offers twenty six Hebrew productions that are presented 400 times annually throughout Israel. We also currently offer a repertory of twelve productions in English, which we have translated from our Hebrew repertory or developed especially to explore relevant issues that Israel shares with the Diaspora. These productions embark on tours that proudly represent Israel throughout the world.