An Israeli comedy troupe called Davai just made its U.S. premiere at Cleveland’s inaugural BorderLight International Theatre + Fringe Festival. And it did so with a remarkable, 90-minute slice of absurdist, non-verbal storytelling and masterful clownery that lives up to the “fringe” in the festival’s title.

When Israeli choreographer Ohad Naharin, better known in the dance world as “Mr. Gaga,” ventured to Cuba the dancers of Malpaso Dance Company were somewhat apprehensive. Afterall, Naharin was known to be very demanding. But upon his arrival in Havana, the dancers found him to be very charming.

Shakespeare believed that all the world’s a stage, but only Edinburgh, Adelaide, Prague and a dozen or so other world cities offer international theater and fringe festivals. Add Cleveland to that list.

Salt can be used for many things. But have you ever thought of salt as art? World-renown, Israeli artists, Sigalit Landau and Yotam From have taken salt to new heights (and depths) as a medium for their art by submerging and preserving items with salt from the Dead Sea. Through photos, videos, and print, they’ve taken every day items like a challah cover, work boots, and more to create lasting works of art.

The 4-day inaugural BorderLight International Theatre + Fringe Festival, featuring top-flight performers from abroad and world premiere collaborations between Cleveland-based and international theater artists, launches on July 24.

Israeli artist Sigalit Landau will make her first trip to Cleveland to talk about her inspiration, work process and thoughts about making art in Israel in her exhibition at the Roe Green Gallery March 25 at the Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Building in Beachwood.

On March 7, the Cleveland Israel Arts Connection, a program of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, will host “Dancing Conversation: Cultural Diplomacy.” This event will explore how dancers' experiences performing in the United States, Israel, and around the world have informed their expression and in some cases, changed their lives. To register for this event, please visit www.jewishcleveland.org.

The Cleveland Israel Arts Connection, a program of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, will host “Dancing Conversation: Cultural Diplomacy,” on Thursday, March 7 at 7:00 pm at the Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Building (25701 Science Park Drive in Beachwood). Registration cost is $10/person. To register for this event, please visit www.jewishcleveland.org.

Calling all Middle and High School Students: Enter your essays and artwork for the 2019 Yom Hashoah V’Hagvurah Creative Arts Contest, Cleveland’s Commemoration of the Holocaust & Heroism.

In Israel, like in the United States, Independence Day is often celebrated with family and friends around the grill. But it’s also a time for tension in a new play from Israel that received its North American debut at Dobama Theatre last night.