Robbie Gringras brings ‘Four Hatikvah Questions’ to Providence

On Feb. 8, a unique performer, Robbie Gringras, will introduce the Rhode Island Jewish community to the “Four Hatikvah Questions,” a method for understanding controversies. 

Gringras is an international theater artist whose Jewish plays have been performed globally, including in London’s West End. He is also a respected educational consultant.

Gringras was born and bred in the Jewish community of Britain, but has been living and creating in Israel for the past 20 years. As such, his work, both educational and theatrical, bridges the Israel-Diaspora connection with empathy and insight.

I was among a score of local teachers who saw Gringras on stage while we were on a visit to Israel in 1999. He was fantastic! In his one-act play “Shabbes!,” he empathetically performed the roles of eight people as they relate to Shabbat in Israel, exploring the conflicts that Shabbat observance and non-observance engenders in various communities – especially when one community believes others are trampling on its rights.

The show was both provocative and disturbing. Gringras lives in the secular world, while his knowledge base and research specialties are deeply religious. His thoughtful shows shed light on the complexities of Israel.

In addition to being a world-renowned solo performer, Gringras is also an inspirational speaker and a charismatic, challenging and original teacher. Most importantly, Gringras is the creative director of Makom, the education lab of the Jewish Agency, which recently developed a way of examining controversies without taking sides.

Too often it seems that our conversations about Israel are either too cerebral to be meaningful or too passionate to be intelligent. We need to be able to bring both our heads and our hearts to bear. Those who join Gringras on Feb. 8 will leave with a new way to examine issues, especially those related to Israel.

The “Four Hatikvah Questions” (4HQ) is a method for understanding controversies; it does not promote one viewpoint over another, so it is useful to those along any political spectrum.

Often, the most burning issues (Black Lives Matter, Syria, climate change, refugees, etc.) draw on four questions. These questions can be signified by four words in Israel’s national anthem, the “Hatikvah.”

While we can’t expect everyone to agree or to reach consensus on the answers to the questions, 4HQ enables people to speak far more constructively with others who do not share their views.

4HQ is a simple way to approach the complexity that is Israel. It is both universal and particular to Israel. Gringras’ presentation will enthrall you while you master this way of looking at issues.

Robbie Gringras presents “Four Hatikvah Questions” on Wednesday, Feb. 8, at 7 p.m. at the Dwares Jewish Community Center, in Providence. This event is sponsored by the Israel Desk and the Community Relations Council. RSVP at IsraelDesk@jewishallianceri.org or 401-421-4111.

LARRY KATZ is director of Jewish life and learning at the Jewish Alliance.