Our first blog: The Cultural Significance of Opera Shalem in Jerusalem and the Jewish World

Opera has long been a powerful medium for storytelling, cultural expression, and artistic excellence across the globe. Yet within Jerusalem's rich cultural landscape, there has been a notable absence - until now. Welcome to the first blog post from Opera Shalem, where we'll be sharing our journey to create Jerusalem's - and the Middle East’s - first professional ensemble opera company since 1982.

Our Story Begins

Founded by Samuel Berlad, who made aliyah in 2012 but faced limited professional opportunities that eventually forced him to leave, Opera Shalem was born from understanding firsthand what artists need: not just creative outlets, but stability, including a monthly steady salary. Samuel's experience reflects a broader challenge within Israel's cultural landscape – how do we create sustainable artistic environments that honor talent while providing the dignity of reliable income? Opera Shalem is still in its early stages, actively seeking funding to bring this vision to life. While we have ambitious plans for 2027, we recognize the journey ahead requires partnerships, investment, and a community that believes in our mission as much as we do. This is more than an artistic venture—it's a bold statement about what we value as a society and how we honor both cultural heritage and artistic innovation.

Central to our vision is building a net-zero opera house that will utilize sustainable energy to power the entire facility, reflecting our commitment to environmental responsibility alongside artistic excellence.

Just as innovative as our sustainability approach is our reimagining of traditional opera company structure. Opera Shalem is redefining career development in the performing arts by fostering a fluid, collaborative environment where artists can evolve beyond rigid hierarchies. Singers may shift between chorus and soloist roles, musicians can explore conducting or composition, and designers can transition across disciplines. We welcome everyone to come as they are, so long as they adhere to the values of our organization.

Inspired by historical opera companies but modernizing the concept for today, we emphasize artistic growth over status. A lead performer in one production may support a colleague in the next, cultivating a culture of respect, mentorship, and teamwork. Through structured mentorship and interdisciplinary exploration, artists won't face career stagnation but will develop leadership skills in directing, dramaturgy, and arts management. Even season planning will be collaborative, ensuring artists have a voice in shaping their creative journeys.

A Vision Rooted in Values

Our vision for Opera Shalem extends far beyond performances on a stage. We aim to create a globally-connected opera house in Jerusalem that will serve as a beacon of cultural unity and accessibility. This vision is anchored in our core values:

Zionist Expression - We celebrate Israel’s cultural heritage by developing a unique Israeli voice in opera and musical theater. Opera Shalem is not just a stage for existing works—it is a home for new creations that honor, preserve, and reimagine Jewish musical traditions for the future.

Multicultural Dialogue - Jerusalem has always been a crossroads of cultures. Our company will create a space where diverse voices harmonize through meaningful artistic collaboration, reflecting the rich tapestry of influences that make Jerusalem unique.

Kindness and Respect - In an industry often plagued by toxicity and cutthroat competition, we are building a different model—one rooted in support, collaboration, and mutual respect. By fostering a culture of kindness and mentorship, we ensure that every artist and team member can thrive.

Sustainability- We are pioneering a new standard in environmentally conscious theater, integrating cutting-edge sustainable practices into every aspect of our operations. From net-zero energy design based on passive house principles to fully digital production workflows, we ensure that our artistic legacy is not only enduring but also responsible. Great art should inspire without leaving a lasting footprint on the world around us.

Economic Development - By strengthening our local community through cultural investment, we hope to contribute to Jerusalem's economic vitality, creating opportunities that extend beyond our immediate artistic circle.

Growth - We cultivate a dynamic, artist-centered ecosystem where performers, musicians, and creators can continuously evolve. By fostering mentorship, interdisciplinary exploration, and a fluid structure that allows artists to move between roles, we empower individual and collective artistic development. Our commitment to innovation extends to sustainable practices and bold new repertoire, ensuring that Opera Shalem remains a trailblazer in the performing arts.

Why Jerusalem Needs Opera Shalem

Jerusalem is one of the world's most historically and spiritually significant cities. Its streets echo with thousands of years of stories, its buildings stand as witnesses to civilizations risen and fallen, and it's very air seems to vibrate with cultural resonance. Yet for all its rich artistic history, Jerusalem has lacked a professional ensemble opera company that truly reflects its unique character.

The absence of ensemble companies particularly impacts observant Jewish artists, who face additional challenges finding accommodating professional environments. By establishing a home for these artists that respects religious observance while maintaining artistic excellence, we're filling a crucial gap in Israel's cultural landscape.

Unlike in Europe, where many theaters maintain permanent ensembles—groups of resident singers on staff who perform multiple roles throughout the season—Israeli opera companies rely on freelancers and imported soloists for limited productions. While this model has merits, it lacks the continuity and artistic cohesion a resident ensemble fosters. Opera Shalem envisions a different approach: a dedicated ensemble in Jerusalem, creating deeper artistic relationships and a stronger cultural community.

This resident ensemble approach offers several key advantages:

•Stability: Provides steady employment, allowing artists to fully explore their potential, take creative risks, and grow without the constant pressure of securing the next gig.

•Cohesion: Ongoing collaboration fosters a more tightly-knit, reliable team, where performers can rely on each other without hesitation, creating a unified artistic vision.

•Community Connection: By establishing a consistent, resident ensemble, Opera Shalem deepens its ties to Jerusalem’s local culture and community. Artists become familiar, trusted figures within the city, creating lasting relationships with audiences and engaging in outreach efforts that make the arts more accessible to all.

• Inclusivity: The stability of a resident ensemble allows artists to express their artistic identity freely, without fear of compromising their religious or cultural beliefs. This inclusivity empowers individuals to contribute to the art form while staying true to their values, fostering a diverse and welcoming environment for all.

Educational Mission and Community Impact

Opera can sometimes feel inaccessible to those without prior exposure. One of Opera Shalem's central missions is to demystify this art form, making it relevant and engaging for contemporary audiences of all backgrounds.

We plan to develop educational programs that introduce opera to new audiences, particularly focusing on young people in Jerusalem and throughout Israel. By creating accessible entry points to operatic traditions, we hope to nurture the next generation of both performers and appreciative audiences.

Through community outreach initiatives, master classes, and educational partnerships, Opera Shalem will extend its impact beyond the stage. We believe that opera isn't just an art form to be preserved in amber but a living, breathing tradition that can and should evolve to reflect contemporary experiences while honoring its rich history.

Artistic Innovation: Bridging Traditions

What makes Opera Shalem truly unique is our commitment to bridging Jewish musical heritage with global operatic traditions. Rather than simply importing European operatic works unchanged, we aim to create productions that speak to the unique cultural position of Jerusalem and Israel.

This might take many forms:

-New operatic works based on Jewish historical or biblical narratives

-Incorporating elements of traditional Jewish music into classical operatic structures

-Multilingual productions that reflect Jerusalem's linguistic diversity

-Collaborations with composers developing distinctly Israeli operatic voices

We believe that the most vibrant artistic expressions come from cultural cross-pollination – not by erasing distinctions but by bringing different traditions into meaningful conversation with one another. Jerusalem, with its multilayered history and diverse communities, provides the perfect environment for this kind of artistic innovation.

Building a Legacy for Future Generations

When we speak of Opera Shalem's 2027 inaugural performance, we're not just talking about a single event – we're laying the groundwork for a cultural institution that will enrich Jerusalem's artistic landscape for generations to come.

Cultural institutions require patience and vision. The world's great opera houses weren't built overnight; they developed through decades - and sometimes even centuries - of artistic growth, community support, and institutional learning. We're taking the long view, focusing not just on immediate artistic success but on creating sustainable structures that will allow Opera Shalem to thrive well into the future.

This includes developing:

- Sustainable funding models that don't rely solely on ticket sales or government funding

- Training programs for emerging artists

- Archives that preserve performances and creative processes

- Facilities designed to serve artists and audiences for decades

By focusing on this long-term vision, we hope to create not just beautiful productions but a lasting contribution to Jerusalem's cultural heritage.

Stakeholder Perspectives: A Collaborative Vision

Opera Shalem isn't one person's vision but a collaborative effort drawing on the expertise, passion, and support of many stakeholders across Jerusalem and the broader Jewish world.

Artists see in Opera Shalem the promise of meaningful employment that doesn't require them to choose between their artistic calling and identity or their religious observance. For many, this represents a first-of-its-kind opportunity to fully integrate these central aspects of their identity.

Community leaders recognize the economic and social benefits of a vibrant cultural institution drawing visitors to Jerusalem and creating employment opportunities. City officials understand how a world-class opera company can enhance Jerusalem's standing on the global cultural stage.

Educators value the opportunities for students to experience the transformative power of live performance and learn about their cultural heritage through artistic expression. Religious leaders appreciate an approach to the arts that respects tradition while embracing innovation.

And audiences – both those already passionate about opera and those who will discover it through our work – anticipate performances that move, challenge, and inspire them.

The Road Ahead

As we work toward our 2027 debut, there's much to be done. Funding must be secured, artists assembled, repertoire selected, and community relationships developed. We'll face challenges along the way – as any ambitious cultural project does – but we're sustained by our conviction that Opera Shalem fills a vital need in Jerusalem's cultural ecosystem.

Through this blog, we'll share our journey – the triumphs and the setbacks, the discoveries and the questions. We invite you to join us in this process, to contribute your ideas, support, and enthusiasm as we build something truly special in Jerusalem.

Opera has always been about bringing together multiple art forms – music, storytelling, visual design, movement – into a unified whole greater than the sum of its parts. Similarly, Opera Shalem will bring together diverse traditions, communities, and artistic voices to create something uniquely powerful: a professional opera company that honors Jerusalem's past while boldly imagining its cultural future.

We hope you'll stay with us for the journey ahead.