Robbie Gringras

World-renowned solo theater performer, inspirational speaker, charismatic teacher, and one of the most creative voices calling for honest complex relations between Jews and Israel.

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About

World-renowned solo theater performer, inspirational speaker, charismatic teacher, and co-writer of "Stories for the Sake of Argument". As a British-born Israeli Robbie has performed and lectured throughout the Jewish world in English and in Hebrew. While Creative Director of Makom, he developed and now drives the 4HQ System of Israel Education across the world.

Programs

The Four Key Questions behind Israel's Complexity

Israel is complicated - emotionally, politically, spiritually. How can we talk about this honestly and deeply without getting lost, without screaming at each other, or oversimplifying the issues? The answer can be found in four questions! An introduction to the world-renowned Four Hatikvah Questions (4HQ) that now inform Israel educators, engagers, and advocates across the world.

The 'O' Word - How to talk about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict without alienating others or yourself.

What do we mean by the word "Occupation"? It turns out there are at least 3 different uses of the word, and they all reveal different understandings, attitudes, and end-goals. That's why all the arguments drive you crazy! This workshop pulls no punches about the realities on the ground: it aims to describe the situation, not to fix it: to understand the sides, not to take one.

The Gate - a solo show about Jewish-Arab relations in Israel

Robbie Gringras performs The Gate with the humor and depth of emotion that is the hallmark of his international performances of physical story theater. A gate blocks the road between the Jewish kibbutz and the Arab village. On the kibbutz they argue whether the gate should be open or closed? One night Amal from the village finds herself locked inside the kibbutz, and a painful conflict ensues.

That's Why I'm (Still) Here - celebrating the complexities of life in Israel

I fell in love with Israel, and so Iwent to live there. And then came the morning after… The rudeness, the culture clashes, the violence, the religious quagmire… So why am I still there? Performed with top Israeli musician, Adam Mader, the show is a thoughtful yet joyful gathering of personal stories, Israeli songs, and stunning photography, celebrating the love of Israel, the morning after.

The “Mizrachi thing” in popular Israeli culture and more

Why do Mizrachi novelists, poets, musicians, and TV shows celebrate, mourn, and rage about the Mizrachi experience in Israel? This hard-hitting and inspiring workshop introduces learners to a range of brilliant artists telling their challenging stories in the most engaging ways possible. Includes translated tastes of Shemi Zarchin, Adi Kessar, Teapacks, R. Haim Louk, Zaguri Empire, and more.

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Endorsements

Robbie Gringras is one of the most creative individuals I've been privileged to work with. Jewish learning comes alive through his dramatic talent and artistic flair, and the Jewish world has been deeply enriched by his wide-ranging contributions.
— Alisa Kurshan, Former Executive VP, UJA Federation of New York, New York

Robbie Gringras is a master educator: deep, creative and provocative. He uses both the stage and the classroom to get people to think more broadly, to challenge their assumptions and to care about what matters most to the Jewish community and beyond
— Dr Erica Brown, Director, Mayberg Center for Jewish Education and Leadership, Washington DC

He is the whole package - performance, workshops, Israel and Jewish Education, leadership - I have hired him as a scholar-in-residence multiple times for Hillel, Federation, and for high level leadership training. Robbie combines creative performance art and Jewish educational acumen and soulfulness, teaching with nuance and with an intellectually honest love for Israel.
— Or Mars, Vice President, Wexner Foundation, New Albany, Ohio

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Articles

Makom Israel 6 September, 2019:

Our Boys and the Israeli reaction

Times of Israel 4 January, 2019:

What Birthright can learn from Bohemian Rhapsody

International Handbook of Jewish Education 25 February, 2011:

Educating with Art without ruining it

Interested in booking Robbie Gringras to speak at your next event? Contact Jewish Speakers Bureau (infREMOVEo@jewREMOVEishspeakerREMOVEsbureau.com), America's only speakers bureau for Jewish-interest speakers, authors, entertainers, and experts.