“Matriarch” by Jessica Litwak

Matriarch is a one-woman play about getting through hard times by calling on the ancestors for help and wisdom. This event is part of our Synagogue Nights season. Shemie is on the brink of giving up on life, but everything changes when she?s visited by the prophetess Miriam. Miriam takes her on a journey through ancestral landscapes, where Shemie witnesses powerful pairs of women supporting each other with acts of courage and compassion. These moments of connection and strength inspire Shemie to find hope and keep going. At its heart, this puppet play is about healing through the wisdom and love of those who came before us. Its message is clear: Don?t give up. Sometimes, the door to love and freedom is just behind you. With humor, poetry, and a fresh feminist perspective, this play offers a touching and poetic look at biblical matriarchs and the power of connection. ABOUT THE ARTIST Dr. Jessica Litwak is a recognized leader in the field of socially engaged theatre. She is an award-winning playwright, an Equity actor, educator, puppet builder, creative coach and drama therapist. She is the Artistic Director of the H.E.A.T. Collective, a core member of Theatre Without Borders and a Fulbright Scholar. Jessica Litwak- Performer, Playwright, Puppet Builder Rosalind Parker- Director WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW The age guidance for this performance is 16+. The play contains mild swearing and themes of suicide, infertility and sex. The performance will be 60 minutes long. There will be no intervals. Doors to the museum will be open from 6pm for the performance to start at 7pm. Cafe will be selling hot food and drinks before the event. Please note that food and drinks can?t be taken into the synagogue, so please allow enough time before the performance. We don?t have a cloak room and are unable to store bags and we would advise not bringing large bags with you when you visit. ACCESS Our new building includes step free access to the entrance via a ramp, a lift to the first floor, level access throughout the ground floor and accessible gender neutral toilets. Click HERE for more access information. If you have any additional needs please email tickets@manchesterjewishmuseum.com in advance so we can best support. GETTING HERE We are just a 15 minute walk from Victoria Station and Manchester?s Green Quarter. Both the 41 and 135 buses stop on Cheetham Hill Road within 100m from the museum?s entrance at the Elizabeth Street and Derby Street stops. We encourage you to use public transport or other sustainable transport methods when travelling to the museum. Click HERE for more information on getting here.