Educational Classroom Plays

THE LAND OF Israel has long been a fertile spawning ground for some of the greatest stories ever told — now dramatized for your stage!

 

Plays of Ancient Israel presents 12 exciting one-acts from the Bible and the treasure trove of Jewish folklore: Noah’s Ark, Jonah and the Whale, Daniel in the Lion’s Den, King David’s Harp, Ruth and Naomi, Samson and Delilah, the Wisdom of Solomon, tales from the Talmud, origins of Hanukkah, Purim and more.

 

1. King David’s Harp. An elderly carpenter wanders for years in search of King David's harp, the instrument that accompanied many of the original Psalms. What he finds is more than a miracle!

 

2. Jonah and the Whale. A humorous look at the reluctant prophet and his maritime misadventures on the way to saving Nineveh.

 

3. Noah’s Ark: Falsehood and Wickedness Hitch a Ride. A midrash folktale that uses symbolism and talking animals to communicate some essential truths about human nature.

 

4. Dare to Be a Daniel! Thrilling story of courage in the face of tyrants and certain death.

 

5. Ruth and Naomi: The Healing Power of Friendship. A life-long friendship that changed the course of Biblical history, the story of Ruth and Naomi has much to say about perseverance, about trust, about welcoming newcomers to the fold, about a community pulling together to help its less fortunate members.

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6. Samson and Delilah. The popular tale of betrayal and redemption told to the music of the gospel hymn "Samson and Delilah".

 

7. Tales of Angels. Learn about the Biblical origins of angels and the Lamed Vav — and how they keep our world on its divine course.

 

8. What Is a Brother? The stories of Cain and Abel, Jacob and Esau, Joseph and his brothers plus the one brother tale with a happy ending:  Menasseh and Simon.

 

9. The Prophet and The Rabbi. The prophet Elijah appears in many forms throughout the ages as a messenger of God, instructing scholars and protecting the poor and weak; here he instructs Rabbi Zev on the true meaning of patience and good will.

 

10. The Wisdom of Solomon. Two argumentative young girls discover the ancient wisdom of King Solomon works in modern times, too.

 

11. Chanukah: Come Light the Menorah! A modern boy bored with religion discovers the exciting battlefield origins of this holiday celebrating divine victory over religious persecution.

 

12. Hail, Queen Esther! This play is in the form of a purimshpil — a play from medieval times that tells the story of Purim, the holiday celebrating Queen Esther’s role in preventing a massacre of Persian Jews during the 6th century B.C.E. Watch as a troupe of Italian actors in the year 1567 present a purimshpil for the local Duke and Duchess.