‘Matriarch’ is an inspiring tale of feminist empowerment at Manchester Jewish Museum

Manchester Jewish Museum hosts Dr Jessica Litwak’s latest theatre show, Matriarch, later this month as part of the venue’s Synagogue Nights season.

A story about healing through the wisdom and love of those who came before us, Matriarch blends live theatre and poetry to explore the power of connection.

Following the story of Shemie, who on the brink of giving up on life, is visited by the prophetess Miriam and guided on a journey through ancestral landscapes. During the journey, Shemie witnesses powerful pairs of women supporting each other with acts of courage and compassion, inspiring a new sense of hope within herself.

Jessica Litwak, playwright, puppet builder and performer, says: “Matriarch is a piece about belonging. In times of vulnerability, it invites us to return to our roots in order to move forward. Opening ourselves to the wisdom before us, looking to the Ancestors, it encourages us to lean back.

“In this piece those voices are Jewish, but its model is one we hope to grow, encouraging families and new histories, weaving across faiths and cultures in that same message we share – feeling strength from the past. Faith and belonging are at the core of Matriarch’s story and message.

“We are sharing the piece in theatre spaces, spaces associated with faith, and spaces associated with social healing. Interfaith dialogue is the practice of going deeply into one’s own faith in order to understand another’s. Come with us on this journey.”

Dr. Jessica Litwak is a celebrated 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.

On the morning of the show, Jessica Litwak and the museum are inviting audiences to participate in a free, hands-on creative writing and puppetry workshop.

The session will use guided meditation and a series of writing exercises to explore the potential of imagination and creativity. Participants will use their writing pieces as inspiration to create their own shadow puppets. This session is free of charge and open to anybody over the age of 16.

Tickets to Matriarch are on sale now, book yours using the button below.