A Land Twice Promised: Audience Responses

Annette Herskovits, CA
“I learned a lot — especially from the stories of your mother, grandmother, uncle. I have been trying to understand how Israelis and Jews can blind themselves to the suffering they have caused and cause Palestinians. These stories provided pieces of that puzzle. I do not speak lightly — I am a holocaust survivor (a hidden child) and the child of holocaust victims.”

Farzana Razvi, Islamic Center of Rochester NY
“Believe me it was one of the greatest experience of my life and I hope and pray that we’ll experience many more in peace insha’Allah.”

Tina M., KS
“I employ an Arab woman who has been traditionally “sided” with Palestinians her entire life. She is one of several of my staff who attended your performance. She told me that after watching your work, it was the first time in her life that her way of thinking has been challenged to change and she has begun to discuss this with her own family. You must know that your work matters and to continue to work for healing and peace.”

Benjamin Pratt, VA
“I felt much more invited into the experience than I did with theater… there I was an observer, here I felt more compassion and sadness…you invited us into our own grief and it is grief that leads to healing and not anger…”

Madison Rubenstein, age 12, MN
“I absolutely LOVED it!!! I had tingles up my spine the whole time. There are no words to describe how much I love your storytelling! It made me think differently about Palestinians and Arabs. I never thought about their side of the story.”

Anat Yitzhaki, Israel
“A powerful experience…I found myself experiencing emotions of pain, laughter, shame, identification and helplessness.”

Bob Griss, Washington DC
“I think of your play as one of the most effective embodiments of the common vulnerabilities and common dreams for peace of Palestinians and Israelis.”

Audience member, Minneapolis, MN
“I found myself responding to the emotion portrayed on the “Arab” side – which I did not expect. It did challenge some of my “perceptions” although I do still believe that what is being done by Israel currently must be done.”