‘Vagina’ in Jerusalem

In a city where religious differences have resulted in women’s faces being blurred in advertisements, one could be excused for being surprised to discover the word “vagina” in public. However, this weekend, a group of women will be putting on Jerusalem’s latest production of “The Vagina Monologues.”

Written by playwright and performer Eve Ensler, “The Vagina Monologues” is a series of monologues presented by women focused around the topic of, well, the vagina. Each one tackles the subject with a different perspective and emotion, some humorous, some serious, all meaningful as they deal with topics such as sex, rape, birth, and more.

The play is more than just another artistic production; the proceeds benefit various women’s causes as part of a global movement called V-Day which has raised over $85 million for women’s anti-violence groups since 1998.

Running this Thursday through Saturday, proceeds from this production will benefit the Jerusalem Rape Crisis Center (JRCC) which serves women who have suffered from sexual violence while raising awareness to prevent future violence. The JRCC approached Kate Nachman to direct the production after she successfully oversaw five previous versions in recent years. Nachman, who works as Assistant Director of Young Judaea Year Course, recruited two of the program’s female participants to join the rest of the female cast, several of whom have acted in past productions as well.

The money raised from these shows will be used to keep the crisis center — which is served by a small part-time staff on a shoestring budget — from closing.

V-Day events have taken place in over 140 countries around the world through stage performances, educational workshops for both men and women, and more, fighting issues including rape, battery, incest, female genital mutilation, and sex slavery.

(“The Vagina Monologues” will take place at the Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center (8 Agron Street). Showtimes: Thursday, February 23rd, 8 PM; Friday matinee, February 24th, 11 AM; Saturday night, February 25th, 8 PM. Tickets: 80 NIS if reserved, 100 NIS at door (students, 60 NIS). To purchase tickets, call 052-621-6021 or 02-623-2451×101 or email jrccdev@gmail.com. All proceeds go to the Jerusalem Rape Crisis Center.)