Christians for Israel
צילום: איי פי
Christians support Israel on stage
They are devoted to Christ, but have no problem touring the globe with a musical aims to raise awareness to the story of the Jewish people. Meet The Covenant cast and crew, representatives of the Christian Zionist ministry
The acclaimed biblical musical The Covenant, produced by the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, is currently in the midst of a 21-city summer tour of Europe. The six weeks of performances began on June 23 in Cordoba, Spain and will continue until the finale in Leipzig, Germany on July 30.
Written and directed by Robert and Elizabeth Muren, The Covenant is an original dramatic presentation recounting the miraculous story of the People of Israel, spanning from the calling of Abraham until the establishment of the modern State. The exceptional cast and crew are drawn from more than twelve nations.
As with all of our performances across Europe, our show in Bielifeld Tuesday night was sold out. While the majority of our audience is comprised of Evangelical Christians, members of the general public also come out to see The Covenant, along with members of the Jewish communities.
Jews in Belfast, Liverpool, Worthing, Berlin, Hannover, Darmstadt, and again in Bielefeld have entered the theatres skeptically and have left without exception, with tears streaming down their faces.
Letters written by audience members to the Christian Embassy, expressing their appreciation and gratitude are already beginning to arrive. Among those is a letter from a Holocaust survivor in Hannover who was completely overcome with emotion, and says she continues to weep days after seeing the show.
Hard times
Initially it was difficult for those of us who live in Israel to find ourselves in Europe when the present conflict broke out. We wanted to change our tickets and get back to the Land as quickly as possible.
But then we came to realize the importance and significance of our present task, and how we are contributing positively to change attitudes in Europe towards Israel. Thousands of people have come to The Covenant performance simply to say, “Israel, we are standing with you, you are not alone, we are praying for you!”
Our company choreographer, Chloe Osborne, who works full time in our Jerusalem office, agrees. “I believe that the impact we are making will have long term effects in the hearts and minds of people,” she said. “We came to Europe at just the right time.”
Challenges
Nevertheless, the project has its challenges. Members of the volunteer cast are expected to serve along side the crew in building and tearing down the set nightly. In addition to dancing, Chloe is one of the lead singers in the production, but also looks after the eight cases of props that travel with the show. She also assists me with administrative aspects of managing the 31 member cast and crew.
The greatest challenge for Emil Brunell, age 19 from Finland, is doing the Holocaust scenes night after night. “It requires a lot of emotion, and when you are so tired from the tour, it’s hard to find the strength for it. Still, we have the responsibility to do it from our hearts and make it real.”
Bears Gilde, a 22 year old Norwegian student, gave up his summer holidays and opportunity to earn income to be a part of the show. “In many ways, Europe is spiritually washed up. The production is challenging people to turn back to God and His Word; I’m glad to be a part of that," he explains.
Performing in Paris on the evening of the World Cup final game between France and Italy has been the most memorable experience for Bears, who constantly checked the score between his costume and scene changes.
“It was amazing to see people lined up outside the theatre to see our show on the same evening of the game,” he said. The show ended just in time for members of the cast to dash out and watch the final minutes of the game with Parisians in a street café just next to the theatre. “That’s a moment I’ll never forget,” said Gilde.
Kids on stage
Among the cast are eight children, ages ranging from 6 months to 12 years. Norwegian brothers Ivar and Brunjar also toured with The Covenant last summer, but don’t seem to mind giving up their summer holidays at all.
“Being in The Covenant is more fun,” says Ivar. Ivar plays the part of young King David, and sites that as his favorite scene in the show. I asked his older brother Brunjar what he would like to say to the Jewish people at this time, and he replied, “Israel, I will not forget you.”
The writer of the Covenant, Elizabeth Muren, addresses the audience members after the show:
“When I was a little girl, my papa told me the story of the Holocaust. I felt I was born too late; I should have been there to help; to do something for the Jewish people. But my father told me not to worry; I will have plenty of opportunities in your life to do that. Today is that day- this is your chance and my chance to stand up for the Jewish people.”
Chuck King is ICEJ music director
