The Israeli Hour Theatre Raises Awareness for Children with Special Needs

As every year, February is a month where many initiatives and cultural events take place to raise awareness, support, and understanding for children with disabilities and children with special needs. This is an opportunity to increase the awareness of Israeli society, focusing on children and adolescents, regarding the unique needs of other children and the acceptance of the other.

The Israeli Hour Theatre (Teatron HaShaa HaIsraeli), operating according to the needs of the hour, sees this month as an opportunity for all of us to pause our routine and remember that through awareness, inclusion, and social mobilization, it is possible to create a world that respects and empowers all children, without exception. Every year, the theatre stages plays in schools and kindergartens across the country dealing with social inclusion for the sake of the other, covering all facets of the topic—with the goal of encouraging open dialogue with youth and children.

Among the "Exceptional" Plays to be Staged in February:

The World According to Alon (HaOlam Al Pi Alon): Alon is a different and special child, diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Two weeks before the end of summer vacation, he leaves the boarding school and comes home to join the fifth grade at the regular neighborhood school. The encounter between Alon and the new environment is exciting, amusing, charged, and sometimes impossible. With his original way of thinking and unique path, Alon charms his surroundings and us, the viewers.

Simply Special (Pashut Meyuchad): Winner of the Best Actor Award, Soliko 2024. Michael has everything. He is successful and excellent in his studies, has many friends, and is the star of the city soccer team, but he has a secret: Gabriel, his older brother, is autistic. Michael dreads the moment his friends will meet his brother. He decides to hide Gabriel's existence and lies to everyone about his family. On the evening of his 13th birthday, his biggest nightmare occurs: He discovers that a surprise party will be held in his honor at his home, where his friends will meet his autistic brother. What will Michael do to prevent his secret from being revealed?

Facing Everyone (Mul Kulam): Michael is a boy who suffers from Tourette syndrome. This syndrome causes him to make uncontrollable movements and strange sounds. Throughout his life, he moved from school to school and could not integrate, but this year his mother decides she is not willing to give up and enrolls him in a new, "regular" classroom. Some of the children laugh at him and bother him, but thanks to one child who believes in him and accepts him as he is, Michael succeeds in winning everyone's affection. With the help of his supportive mother, the new friend he made, and his great hunger for success, Michael teaches everyone that the differences in each of us only make us special. Because whoever wants to be "normal" – loses!

The Israeli Hour Theatre for Children and Youth: This is the largest and leading children's theatre in Israel. Just like the theatre's name (The Hour Theatre), so too is its work—matters of the hour. In the theatre's repertoire, you can find about 60 different plays touching on important and profound issues in Israeli society and the world of children, including acceptance of the other and the different, disabilities, gender, child empowerment, self-confidence, and self-worth. All these are presented alongside beloved and enjoyable classics for the whole family, such as: The Wizard of Oz, The Emperor's New Clothes and The Giant's Garden, Peter Pan, The Fisherman and the Golden Fish, and more.

For more details and tickets:   https://teatron-hashaa.smarticket.co.il