A Giraffe Underground

a youth play

The Story of Ayalon Institute (1945-1948)
In 1948, opportunistic and snobbish Leah finds a job as a laundress at her sister's kibbutz, where she falls in love with Major Charles Hobson. One day, Leah accidentally discovers that beneath the laundry facility lies a secret underground factory operated by the Haganah, producing ammunition for the fighters. Now, the only way for her to prove her loyalty to her comrades is by preventing the British officer from uncovering the factory's existence.

A forgotten chapter of Israel’s War of Independence, highlighting the home front's contribution to the state's founding, especially the pivotal role of women.

About the research


The play is based on in-depth research, including extensive material from archives, such as video testimonies and original transcripts. I conducted interviews with surviving individuals and visited the Ayalon Institute Museum. I also referenced several books, notably Tom Segev's "Days of Anemones: The Land of Israel during the Mandate Period," which includes diary documentation of Jews and British people of the period.

The events in the play are based on real events but the characters are made up.

Quotes from the play

Each of us is forced to make sacrifices for the establishment of the state. Do you think I enjoy being buried underground here? And do you think Micah is happy to endanger his baby, whose nursery sits five feet from a volcano of explosives?
Motke
We've all seen how he looks at you! A Jew who once went with the enemy - how can we know you won't do it again? I can't take that risk. If it wasn't for your sister, I'd kick you out of here as soon as I found out who you really are.
Micah Leah'le
You know, I'm neither anti-Semitic nor anti-Arab. I'm just pro-British. I despise Arabs and Jews equally. This and that with despicable. And both together are not equal to one English! But you – you're nothing like them.
from John Hobson to Leahle
You'll learn not to ask questions. The less you know, the better.
Tzipora Leahleh
The British are not the enemy. It was the British who liberated Bergen-Belsen where I was a prisoner. I weighed 28 kilos when they came in with their tanks and gave us food. They saved my life.
leah
You British, what do you have to look for here in the Land of Israel? We don't have natural resources like in India, nor do we have the Suez Canal like in Egypt. The only thing we have is beautiful women!
Joel to Major Hobson

Characters

Leah (Leahle) Brachman
17, A new immigrant, "Giraffe" (a nickname for those who did not share the secret of the enterprise), is beautiful and elegant. She is dressed in fashionable dresses that are very different from the khaki shorts of the other kibbutz members.
Yoel Zur
18, Sabra, a factory worker, fought in the Jewish Brigade, hot-headed, passionate,
emotional, rude but also compassionate at times. Want to be a Palmach fighter.
Major Charles Hobson
40, A British officer, commander of the camp near the kibbutz, anti-Semitic, nosy and suspicious. Cold, polite and patronizing.
Micah (Michael) Rosen
20, Factory worker, married with a baby, security officer on behalf of the Haganah. Firm, suspicious and stern.
Tzipora (Tzippi) Brachman Gilad
18, She works in a factory, is in love with Yoel and is therefore jealous of her beautiful sister Leahle, a moral woman, a member of the Haganah from an early age.
Mordechai (Motke) Givon
Factory worker.

Inspirational images

By

Jonathan Calderon

Year

Actors

3-4 Men

2 Women

Time

The play takes place over the course of six months, between November 29, 1947 (the approval of the UN partition plan and the outbreak of war) and the declaration of independence on May 14, 1948.

Translations

English

Download

Full play

Performance Rights Reserved.

For permission to stage the play please contact

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