FILMMAKER. WRITER. ResearchER
WE PLAYED ON: THE DAVID HERMAN THEATRE GROUP
Stranded in Australia mid-world tour as the war broke out, two stars of Europe’s renowned Yiddish theatre companies found themselves stuck in ek velt (the end of the world).
Surrounded by a bunch of passionate amateurs who formed the lifeblood of the David Herman Theatre Group at the Kadimah, Rachel Holzer and Jacob Waislitz propelled Yiddish theatre in Melbourne to new heights. The company became a stage phenomenon that spanned more than five decades and forged Melbourne’s legacy as one of the world’s most vibrant centres for Yiddish culture.
Surviving the ravages of the Holocaust, the players formed a tight circle, with all the camaraderie, drama and intimacy of a theatre troupe together with the close bonds of family. Most of all, they gave their audiences a longed-for taste of home.
Produced by Kadimah Jewish Cultural Centre and National Library, and celebrating 110 years of continuous Yiddish theatre, language and cultural programs, this feature length documentary premiered at the Jewish International Film Festival (JIFF), in Melbourne in 2022.
Official Selection Miami Film Festival 2023.
BIALYSTOKER THREADS
Pre-war Yiddish Bialystok has lived on in memory quite unlike other vanquished European towns. Tight-knit communities and the unique immigrant Bialystoker Centres in New York, Melbourne and Israel ensured the town’s glory days of the “world with many little worlds” of commerce, education, music, arts, manufacturing, cafes, religion and politics were not forgotten.
Bialystoker Threads is an intimate portrayal of the lives of Melbourne descendants of that extinct community. This warm, revealing and heart warming documentary centres around memories of the legendary town and tales of some of its even more legendary characters.
The Sister of Significant Suffering
Beneath Miranda’s competent, tranquil exterior a restless spirit seeks identity and unconditional acceptance. What does it mean to belong and who are one’s family?
This short documentary was produced as Rebecca’s graduating film for her Masters in Documentary Filmmaking from Victorian College of the Arts School of Film and Television (University of Melbourne.
This film was awarded the Omnilab Script Award in 2006 and was voted Best Short Film at the Detroit Docs International Film Festival 2007.
YANKEV
Yankev reflects on the life of actor and director Jacob Waislitz.
As a member of the ground breaking Yiddish theatre company, the Vilna Troupe, from 1919 onwards Waislitz lives the life of a theatrical nomad. With the rise of Hitler and Nazi Germany the company disbands and he roams the world as a solo artist. When war breaks out Waislitz finds himself stranded at the ends of the earth in Melbourne, Australia.
Through the voices of his descendants, artistic collaborators, students and historians this short documentary tells his story and examines how he reconciles himself to this extraordinary change, and what he, in turn, gives to the community of refugees and survivors who shelter and celebrate him.