About

HaDerech el ha'Or (The Path to the Light) : The writings, thoughts and dreams of the Jews of Terezin, set to new music. 

Between 1942 and 1944, some of the most talented Jewish artists, musicians, and intellectuals were imprisoned at Theresienstadt in Czechoslovakia as part of a Nazi propaganda campaign designed to deceive the Red Cross.

Despite their imprisonment, a remarkable cultural movement emerged. Artists like Friedl Dicker- Brandeis, a pioneering art therapist, and Ilse Weber, a musician and nurse, encouraged children to express themselves through painting, poetry, and music. These creative acts became a means of survival—allowing the children to find purpose, document their existence, and hold on to their identities in unimaginable circumstances.

Viktor Frankl was also imprisoned at Theresienstadt. His philosophy—that finding meaning is essential to survival—echoes what these children and their mentors intuitively practiced. Frankl’s iconic book Man’s Search for Meaning emerged from his experiences in multiple camps, and its core message resonates powerfully with the lives of these children. 

German Jewish Rabbi and leader Leo Baeck was also imprisoned in the camp, and completed the thoughts that would ultimately make up his seminal later work, This People Israel. 

HaDerech El Ha’Or is a dialogue between the voices, thoughts and insights of the Jews of Theresienstadt, with composers and performers from Australia’s Jewish community, exploring how meaning, purpose, and creativity can persist even in the darkest of times.

Through live music, storytelling, and visual projections, HaDerech El Ha’Or presents the poetry, diaries, and artwork of these children while providing historical context about the camp, the people involved, and the Theresienstadt survivors who later arrived in Australia.

As Rav Kook said, “The old shall be made new, and the new shall be made holy.”

This performance will feature original works alongside projections of the children’s artwork, offering an immersive experience that brings their voices to life. Featured composers are Lior, Deborah Conway and Willy Zygier, Luke Howard, Elena Kats-Chernin, Rita Satch, Simon Starr, Ari Wenig, Adam Starr, Gidi Cher and Gil Zelwer. 

Concert Narrator : Simon Tedeschi

Artistic Director : Simon Starr

HaDerech el ha’Or is presented by the Lamm Jewish Library of Australia. 

Major supporters : Victor Smorgan Group, Gandel Foundation, Cher Family Foundation and VBS Investments.

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