“Mashrabiyya” is a powerful cultural initiative that brings the complexities of coexistence to the stage. Hosting the bilingual playback theater performance “Far-Near”, New Acropolis opened a space to explore the delicate distance — and surprising closeness — between Jews and Arabs in their shared reality.

The core of the event was an ensemble of actors, half Jewish and half Arab, who used the art of playback theater to transform audience experiences into immediate, living art. The event began by actively establishing connection, with hosts using simple, unifying questions to create immediate common ground. As the barriers dissolved, participants from the audience were invited to share personal stories of interaction, tension, and connection between the two cultures.

Three profound stories were brought to life on stage, performed through a seamless blend of Hebrew and Arabic and accompanied by live music. By reflecting these real-life moments back to the audience, the actors moved beyond simple storytelling; they created a shared emotional journey. 

This event demonstrated that by listening to one another and viewing our shared situations from multiple perspectives, we can bridge the distance between us. It was a moving reminder that even in complex encounters, there is a transformative opportunity to expand our hearts and find genuine unity.