The "Nalaga’at Center was established by the "Nalaga’at" non-profit organization with the purpose of offering a stage for deaf-blind, deaf and blind people. Since its opening to the public in December 2007, the Center has become a place where people who can hear and see and people with hearing and / or vision impairments can meet and communicate.
"Nalaga’at"s Diary...
2002
"Nalaga’at", founded by Art Director Adina Tal and Eran Gur in December 2002, raises the curtain with its first production "Light is Heard in Zig Zag" – a play written and directed by Adina Tal for twelve deaf-blind individuals who up till then had lived in total darkness and silence.
2003
"Light is Heard in Zig Zag" continues to be performed and is highly acclaimed by both audiences and critics, receiving the Medal of Equality for People with Disabilities awarded by the Ministry of Justice and the Jerusalem Municipality in the presence of the President of the State of Israel. "Nalaga’at" raises tremendous interest at international conferences on the topic of deaf-blindness in England and Canada.
2004
First ever tour by a deaf-blind theater group to North America. Sold-out performances to enthusiastic audiences and rave reviews in Toronto, Montreal, Boston and New York. During the tour, art director Adina Tal and the "Nalaga’at" Theater Deaf-blind Acting Ensemble hold workshops for local deaf-blind groups and staff. In Boston, "Nalaga’at" is awarded The Massachusetts House of Representatives Congratulations in a public ceremony.
2005
After performing throughout Israel, "Nalaga’at" sweeps Switzerland, from Zurich, to Bern, Basel, and the United Nations Headquarters in Geneva. "The Swiss Friends of the Nalaga’at Association" is founded in Zurich. Rehearsals for a new production "Not by Bread Alone" begin in a snowy mountain village in Switzerland, with the actors learning how to knead bread and prepare Challahs for the Shabbat. In September the group returns to New York and performs at the Lincoln Center!
The rehearsals for the new show continue in full swing during the whole year, focusing on the search for additional means of communication within the group. For the first time the actors learn how to sense the vibrations of a drum, that will be incorporated as cues during the show. The actors, translators and entire production team learn over and over again that "every wall that one encounters has a door to be opened …"
In view of the success and in order to extend its vision by reaching larger audiences, "Nalaga’at" embarks on a new dream: a center of its own!
2006
After searching for many months, a rundown yet impressive hangar – once used as a warehouse at the Jaffa port – is found. "Nalaga’at" rents the hangar and begins to plan its renovation. The renovation program includes a massive renovation of the dilapidated hangar and its conversion into a cultural center accessible for the disabled. The process is headed by Eran Gur and a dedicated team, thanks to financial assistance from the Israel National Insurance Institute, the Ministry of Welfare, as well as foundations, corporate and private donors.
2007
Rehearsals for the theater play "Not by Bread Alone" are in full swing. In addition to the deaf-blind actors of the theater, are constituted teams of blind waiters to be employed at the future pitch-black restaurant and deaf waiters to tend at the coffee shop. In December 2007, the "Nalaga’at" Center is officially open to the public, premiering the new production "Not by Bread Alone".
2008
The "Nalaga’at" Center hosts thousands of visitors, coming to attend the theater show, dine at the pitch-black restaurant "BlackOut", or sit at "Café Kapish". The Center also hosts special events, such as a showcase of blind photographers, an artist fair, farmers market, workshops, conventions and more. The "Nalaga’at" Center receives full recognition, when its founder and General Manager, Adina Tal is awarded the Chesed Award (Honor of Grace) at a moving ceremony at the Knesset.
