# Judeo-Tat Theatre

The Judeo-Tat Theatre in Derbent, Dagestan, Russia, specializes in staging plays centered on the lives of Mountain Jews, primarily created by members of the community. The performances are conducted in the Judeo-Tat language (Juhuri).

## The founding of the theatre

Traditionally, the Judeo-Tat Theatre created and performed works in Derbent, where most of the Mountain Jews lived. The first theatrical event by Mountain Jews took place in December 1903 when Asaf Agarunov, a teacher and Zionist, staged a play based on a story by Naum Shoykovich, translated from Hebrew, titled "The Burn for Burn". The performance was held in honor of schoolteacher Nagdimuna ben Simona (Shimunov)’s wedding.
In 1918, a drama studio was established in Derbent under the leadership of Rabbi Yashayo Rabinovich. Since 1924, the Mountain Jewish group became known as the Cultural and Educational Circle of Mountain Jewish Youth, commonly referred to as the "GEM Circle" (Russian: Кружок ГЕМ). It was led by Yuno Semyonov (1899–1961) and Manashir Shalumov.
In 1924, Yuno Semyonov staged two plays in the Derbent Mountain Jewish circle: "Two Leather Sellers" and A "Cunning Matchmaker."
In 1935, the first Soviet theater in Derbent was established, comprising three troupes—Russian, Judeo-Tat, and Azerbaijani. It originated from drama circles led by Manashir and Khanum Shalumov. Initially, men played female roles, but over time, women began to participate in the theater.
This marked the beginning of a prosperous period, with numerous performances being staged. In 1939, the Judeo-Tat Theatre won the Festival of Theatres in Dagestan. The music for its productions was composed by the theater’s composer and musical director, Jumshud (Shumshun) Shevanyevich Ashurov (1913–1980), an "Honored Artist of Dagestan."
At the beginning of 1941, the theater was rehearsing "The Rift" by Boris Lavrenyov and "Aydin" by Jafar Jabbarly.

## The drama group in Gyrmyzy Gasaba in Azerbaijan

From 1920 to 1932, the Judeo-Tat drama group was active in the Mountain Jews settlement of Gyrmyzy Gasaba in Azerbaijan.

## Theatre during World War II

During World War II, most of the theater's actors were drafted into the army, and many lost their lives in the war. In 1943, the theater resumed its work, but it was closed in 1948, officially due to unprofitability.

## Post-war period

On April 28, 1959, the board of the Stalin collective farm appealed to the city's party committee, requesting the creation of a Mountain Jewish People's Theatre as an amateur arts circle.
Pyotr Rafailovich Agarunov (1930–2006), an Excellent Worker of the USSR State Television and Radio Broadcasting, was invited from Baku to help organize the theater's development. Musaib Dzhum-Dzhum (1905–1974), of Azerbaijani descent, was appointed as the theater director and was honored with the title People's Artist of the Dagestan ASSR. He was highly knowledgeable about the language and culture of the Mountain Jews. The composer Jumshud (Shumshun) Shevanyevich Ashurov was named music director, while Mikhail Gavrilov (1926–2014), an Honored Worker of Culture of the Republic of Dagestan, served as the administrator.
In the 1960s, the theater resumed its activities and experienced a second heyday. The beloved actress Akhso Shalumova (1907–1985), an Honored Artist of the Dagestan ASSR, returned to the stage. She played the role of Shahnugor, the wife of Shimi Derbendi (Judeo-Tat: «Шими Дербенди»), based on the stories of writer Hizgil Avshalumov.
In the 1970s, the People's Judeo-Tat Theatre was officially established. For many years, it was led by Abram Avdalimov (1929–2004), an Honored Cultural Worker of the Dagestan ASSR, as well as a singer, actor, and playwright. His successor was Roman Izyaev (1940–2018), who was awarded the Order of the Badge of Honour for his distinguished service.
In the 1990s, the Judeo-Tat Theatre experienced another crisis: it rarely held performances and did not have any premieres. Only in 2000, when it became a municipal theater, was it able to resume its activity. From 2000 to 2002, the theatre was headed by actor and musician Raziil Semenovich Ilyaguev (1945–2016), "Honored Worker of Culture of the Republic of Dagestan." For the next two years the theatre was headed by Alesya Isakova.
In 2004, Lev Yakovlevich Manakhimov (1950–2021), "Honored Artist of the Republic of Dagestan," became the artistic director of the theatre. After the death of Manakhimov, Boris Yudaev became the head of the theatre.
For a long period in the life of the Judeo-Tat theatre, many actors have performed on its stage, such as Bikel Matatova (1928–2013), "Honored Workers of Culture of the Dagestan ASSR," Avshalum Yakubovich Nakhshunov (Shori-Artist) (1925–1997), "People’s Artist of the Republic of Dagestan," Mozol Aleksandrovna Izrailova, "Honored Worker of Culture of the Republic of Dagestan," Anatoly Yusupov, Raya Novakhova, Israel Tsvaygenbaum, Eva Shalver – Abramova and many others.

## The founding of a theatre in Israel

In 2001, the artistic director, actor, screenwriter and decorator Roman Izyaev founded the Mountain Jews' theater "Rambam" in the Israeli city of Hadera. The collective has toured not only cities where Mountain Jews live in Israel, but also Canada, the United States, Azerbaijan and Moscow, Russia.
After the death of Roman Savievich Izyaev in 2018, Eva Shalver - Abramova became the chief director of the theater "Rambam.”