At a time when researchers and laymen alike thought that the traditional language of Sefarad together with its centuries-old culture would have all but ceased to exist, a small group of actors and playwrights have successfully managed to create a cultural life in Judeo-Spanish for the Sephardic residents of Bat-Yam. Attracting some 2,000 spectators each year, the Judeo- Spanish theatre group of the Bat-Yam Culture Club has staged several original performances, mainly vaudeville and musical comedies, as well as Judeo-Spanish adaptations of Hebrew works such as "La Ketuba".
Sarah Beneviste Benrey alone has authored at least three plays for the enthusiastic group, of which two, "Todo Bueno kon Marido Viejo" and "Sigundo Kazamiento", are now available on video. Avram Alberto Anach has also authored at least one vaudeville upon the group's request, "La Novya de Las Syete Fustanellas", which may also be seen on videocassette. Many of these performances owe their staging to the careful direction of Haim Eskenazi and the musical compositions to Robert Adanali. Most recently the group has staged "El Klubo de las Bivdas" under the skilful direction of Abraham Yaffe.
Audiences consist mainly, though not exclusively, of Turkish Jews between the ages of 40 and 80, currently residing in Sephardic centres such as Bat-Yam, Tel-Aviv and Netanya. Younger spectators tend to be less proficient in the language of their ancestors, but this does not necessarily mean that Judeo-Spanish theatre will disappear with the going of the present generation. An interview with the actors of "El Klubo de las Bivdas" has revealed that more than a few Sephardim have acquired Judeo-Spanish from their grand-parents, not their own mothers and fathers. Although fluent in the language of her "nona", one actress claims that she did not use Judeo-Spanish much during her youth and has only recently begun to cultivate her interest with the theatre in Bat-Yam. Another actress chimes in, "aprendimos de las nonas". Unlike countless thousands of Ashkenazic homes where Yiddish was used as a secretive language of the older generation, Judeo-Spanish seems to have been successfully passed on by many grandparents anxious about the survival of their mother tongue.
Yet not only grand-parents are concerned about transmitting the Judeo-Spanish language and culture to later generations. One actress in her mid-forties proudly claims that all three of her children, ages 24, 22, and 17, are fully competent in Judeo- Spanish. She and her husband are happy that their children attended the Olympic games in Barcelona and were given a warm reception by most Spaniards. While other actors mentioned that their own children understood but did not practice, a boy of ten listened attentively, carelessly nibbling on a snack as he clung to his mother.
Whatever may become of Judeo-Spanish in the future, both, the language and culture are very much alive in Israel for the time being. Aside from the successful theatre group, the Bat Yam Culture Club boasts a well-attended singing group led by Senior Kobiyarko every motzi Shabbat and a number of other activities. Many of the club members read works by contemporary Judeo-Spanish authors such as Matilda Coen Sarano and subscribe to the weekly paper "Shalom", which is published in Turkey and contains a section in Judeo-Spanish. Leon Sasson provides the group with Judeo-Spanish translations of contemporary works in Modern Hebrew. Netanya also boasts a Judeo-Spanish club with a membership approximately one hundred strong. Though most of the Netanya group is over fifty, members meet every Wednesday night and Thursday morning in different locations to enjoy a variety of activities. As in Bat-Yam, the Netanya club members enjoy reading contemporary works and viewing theatrical performances in Judeo-Spanish. Radio programs are broadcast daily by Kol Israel, providing Sephardim with news, special interviews, and traditional Judeo-Spanish songs, both in Israel and abroad.
Lovers of the Judeo-Spanish language and culture will certainly find a warm welcome in Israel, and in Bat-Yam in particular. But be sure to book your theatre tickets in advance!