Browse the Plays
-
- Experience Chronicled
- Allegoric or Metaphoric Representations
- Concentration and Extermination Camps
- Deniers and Denial
- Germany, Hitler and the Growth of Nazism
- European Jewry Before the Holocaust
- Escape
- The Ghettos
- Hiding
- Righteous Gentiles
- Rescue
- Resistance
- Liberation
- Nazi War Crimes and Judgement
- Other Victims of Nazi Persecution
- Perpetrators, Bystanders and Collaborators
- Survivors and Subsequent Generations
- Theater During Holocaust
- Women and the Holocaust
- Experience Chronicled
-
Recent Insights
- A Personal Welcome to the Holocaust Theater Catalog
- Honoring Elie and Marion Wiesel for Their Plays
- NJTF HTII becomes part of UM MILLER CENTER
- Theatrical Depictions of Survivor Stories
- On Resort 76: Jewish Drama and Putting the Audience Through a Difficult Evening By Bruce Cohen, MFA – the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater
- NJTF Remembrance Readings Launched
- Online Women, Theatre, and the Holocaust Resource Handbook
- Almost Lost
- Press: From the Cleveland Jewish News
- Reference Books
A Branch For Jerusalem
Author(s): Myrna Treston
A Branch for Jerusalem is the story of a journey when the way was blocked and time had stopped. This is a play about the personalities, dreams, conflicts and loves of a family, set against a background that closed in on them during the Holocaust.
This is also a play about silence and disappearance, but even more pronounced, it is also about that spark in the human spirit which believes silence and disappearance are greater enemies than death.
The characters in the play are fictional, but the historical context is true.
Format: Full Length, 3 Acts
Cast Size: 10M, 4W
Character breakdown
ASHER PERETZ – Early 40s. Large, dignified, educated timber
merchant, active in the Bund
MERIAM PERETZ – Late 30s. Cultured background; passionate,
reflective nature
MORDECHAI – 18. Thoughtful, trusting, mature, history
scholar, clever with machines
EMMANUEL – 17. Impulsive, graceful, outspoken,
impatient, explosive, a tease
ELIEZER – Early 40s. Close friend of Peretzes, natural
leader, decisive, physical
RUCHEL – 16. Daring, naturally athletic, mercurial
HANNAH – 18. Calm, clear-headed, reliable, strong
convictions
SHMUEL – 30s. Loner, chameleon, never still,
daredevil, smuggler, escape artist
YACOV – 30s. “Hans”, Aryan in appearance, self
possessed, seemingly nerveless
CHAYIM – 30s or 40s. Slight frame, escapee from
Treblinka
ZALMAN – Middle-aged doctor. Sharp wit, expansive
and jovial
MAYER – 19. Smart but pedantic, tendency to be
officious
BENNY – 15. Enthusiastic, dedicated fighter, good
natured
DOV – 13. Sweet, loyal, giving nature
BIG RED – Gentle man of great strength, mute
Snapshot
Notes:

Original or Prominent Production: Margate Pac Center, Margate, NJ, April 17-19th, 2004.
Original Language: English
Publisher:
Amazon Books, May 15, 2017
Production Rights Holder:
Myrna Treston
Experience(s) Chronicled: European Jewry Before the Holocaust | Germany, Hitler and the Growth of Nazism | Hiding