The Braid Unveils America’s largest independent Jewish theatre in Los Angeles
Grand Opening December 14, this theatre kicks off a run of shows that will showcase diverse expressions and experiences of Jewish life against the past year’s sharp rise in antisemitism, a stark realization has been voiced across the Jewish world, from synagogues to social media: “we Jews have got to get better at telling our stories.”
Now, a new global hub for Jewish stories is opening its doors to do just that. For 17 years, The Braid has carefully innovated a new theatrical art form, turning true contemporary Jewish stories into captivating performances at the intersection of storytelling and theatre. With a new physical venue located in Los Angeles, the entertainment capital of the world, this pioneering company will house America’s largest independent Jewish theatre and cultivate artists and audiences alike to explore identity and community in a safe, creative environment designed to unify people
Unlike most theatre companies which usually license existing works or produce material by a singular voice, The Braid democratizes storytelling by inviting all types of writers to submit autobiographical stories that are then carefully curated and woven together into original shows reflecting the variety of contemporary Jewish life in all its rich, kaleidoscopic complexity. With first-of-its-kind shows devoted to Jews of Color, Persian Jews, Latin Jews, Sephardic, Queer Jews, Israeli-Americans, Asian Jews, Soviet Jews, Southern Jews, and more, as well as shows exploring everything from Jewish food to Jewish values like forgiveness, The Braid’s work shatters harmful stereotypes, builds Jewish pride and community, and touches the hearts of all peoples.
Uniting People Through Stories
Rabbi Ed Feinstein of Valley Beth Shalom, says, “There is a broad conspiracy in this culture to separate us… by culture, by generation, by politics, by economics, by geography… What The Braid does so brilliantly is connect us. They connect us to the best in us… and that’s what makes it so very, very valuable.”
Ann McElaney-Johnson, a Catholic and the President of Mount Saint Mary’s University-Los Angeles, after seeing The Braid’s work, said that it , “changed something deep in me in terms of what it is to stand in solidarity, to stand with those who have had a very different lived experience. I want all our students to see this.”
“It feels like the world is in such tumult, and being Jewish feels especially hard,” remarked Anthony Witt, who identifies as both Asian American and Jewish. He was profoundly impacted by The Braid’s production of What Do I Do with All This Heritage?, the first-ever theatre show about Asian American Jews. “The show reminded me that there’s a lot of light and love in the complexity of that. Being Jewish is not something to shy away from, but to step into.”
A Visionary Venue for Creativity and Connection
The Braid will host more than just performances with two theatre and event rooms, plus an art gallery. Over the years, it has expanded what it means to tell a “Jewish story” into talks, art shows, classes, and films. This storytelling will only increase with The Braid now having a physical home.
The new space will also be offered as a place for community partners and artists to rent for their own events, thus deepening connections across diverse Los Angeles. And with state-of-the-art live streaming capabilities, The Braid will expand its role as a global leader of Jewish stories, bringing the contemporary Jewish narrative into far-flung corners of the world where communities are hungry for relatable Jewish culture or have never even encountered it before.
A Stellar Grand Opening Line-Up
The December 14 grand opening will feature a reprisal run of Monica Piper’s hit one-woman show Not That Jewish, which previously enjoyed a successful 16-month run in Los Angeles before becoming an Off-Broadway sensation at New World Stages.
In January 2025, The Braid will launch its newest season of three original theatre shows filled with true stories drawn from diverse contemporary Jewish life. It will feature the shows Traveler’s Prayer (Jewish travel stories), Two Faiths, One Love (interfaith families), and For The Love of Animals (Jewish connections with animals). The season will also include thematically connected art exhibitions, culinary arts experiences, immersive storytelling experiences for young professionals, classes for middle and high school students. The Braid is also planning to debut new one-person shows by an observant Uruguayan Jewish musician and a Black Jewish comedian exploring fatherhood.
I love stories,” says Ronda Spinak, The Braid’s founder and artistic director. “They entertain, educate, inspire, and move us to action. They’re a portal to human connection. And right now, we need Jewish stories more than ever.”
About The Braid
The Braid is the go-to Jewish story company and the leading non-profit organization creating, curating, producing and preserving stories grounded in Jewish culture and experience. We inspire Jewish stories that connect us all. To learn more about The Braid and its many upcoming offerings, visit the-braid.org.