Flying Lessons

Flying Lessons

By Nava Semel

 

Monsieur Maurice Havivel (The meaning in Hebrew is "Beloved by god") immigrated to Israel from the island of Djerba - off the shores of Tunisia.                          

Deep in his heart he kept the secret of the flying Jews, who had come two thousand years ago to that remote spot, carrying on their wings a door from the destroyed Temple in Jerusalem. In a small village full of orchards, in Israel of the early 1950's, Monsieur Maurice agreed at last to reveal the long guarded secret and teach young Hadara how to fly. Hadara is enchanted by this stranger who makes a living as a simple shoe-maker in a place where everything is "one and only". Losing her mother at an early age and living in a provincial community where she is constantly being watched had made Hadara a lonely vulnerable child, seeking consolation by leaning on her imagination. The friendship Monsieur Maurice offers her is a key to a magical world where she at last feels that she belongs. From the top of the trees, under the evasive blue of the sky, Hadara had spread her arms and jumped, only to find out that one starts by taking off but must face the inevitable fall.

   "Flying Lessons" is the story of people who lost their home and make a brave attempt to build a new one. It is a book about immigrants, survivors and dreamers who desperately hold on to their inner treasures and try to find hope even under tragic circumstances. Despite cruel memories of the past and bitter reality, they live a new fantasy in the land of their dreams.

 

"Everybody first learns to fly in their sleep. I'm sure it was in a dream that I took off from the ground for the first time. The trouble with most people is that they wake up in the morning and forget the night."

The book was published in Israel by Am Oved Publishing House 1990. 

New Edition by Yediot Achronot Publishing House 2002.

Published in the U.S.A. by Simon & Schuster 1995.

Germany by Elefanten Press 1995

Germany Belz und Gelberg 2001.

Italy by Mondadori 1997.

Czech Republic by Albatros 1998.

Spain by Loguez 1998.

Holland by Fontein 1999.

China – forthcoming.

The opera will be based on the above book by Nava Semel and will be sung in the Hebrew language. Later own it could have either subtitles in different languages or various languages versions.

 

In the music I intend to use authentic motifs of the Jews of Djerba and Tunisia together with contemporary music with should be accessible also for young people.

There will be 6 singers and a small instrumental ensemble so that the opera could go easily on tours and would not need a whole orchestra.

The opera will be ca. 1 hour long.

 

Ella Milch-Sheriff