When Miriam Peretz lived in Jerusalem, near the walls of the Old City, each day she heard a symphony of religious sounds from close by: the Muslim call to prayer, chanting at a monastery and a minyan at a Moroccan synagogue.
“The most beautiful music was created by the overlapping of all these prayers throughout the day,” she recalled. “It always put me in such a deep place of prayer and awe.”
So the Israeli-born, Berkeley-raised dance artist began thinking about the intersection of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, and wondered how she could illustrate — through dance — the threads connecting the three faiths.
The result is “Miriam’s Well,” a performance choreographed by Peretz that blends dance, music, poetry and sacred text. The show makes its debut Nov. 22 at the Julia Morgan Theater in Berkeley.
“Miriam’s Well” tells the story of Mary, Maryam and Miriam from the Christian, Muslim and Jewish traditions.
The title is inspired by a biblical myth describing a well that followed the ancient Israelites throughout their 40 years of wandering in the desert. This abundant source of water was in Miriam’s merit, and is said to have dried up upon her passing. The legend says that the well is now located in northern Israel, and that by drinking from it, one can be cured of physical or spiritual illness.
There are also legends about “Mary’s Wells” in Jerusalem and Nazareth that are held sacred to both Christians and Muslims, who believe that Mary/Maryam received a revelation from the angel Gabriel about baby Jesus while she was at the well.
“The deepest message of ‘Miriam’s Well’ is that we’re all so connected — our source is one, our understanding of God is so close — and that we should come to realize that as religions and as people,” Peretz said.
Peretz studied with Jewish, Christian and Muslim scholars and practitioners to inform her choreography and the accompanying narratives and poetry.
Her mother, Estelle Frankel, a Berkeley-based author and Jewish educator, advised Peretz throughout the creative process.
“It’s not performance, it’s prayer in movement,” Frankel said. “She’s dancing her prayers.”
The show features three female dancers (Peretz will dance the part of Miriam). It also features original compositions by musicians Ya Elah, Qadim, Dan Cantrell and Lua Hightower.
The show not only has religious themes, but political ones. Frankel points out that the next war in the Middle East will likely be fought over water.
“Unless we learn to share the resources, there won’t be life,” Frankel said. “So ‘Miriam’s Well’ is, you could say, an offering to peaceful coexistence, a prayer that all the children of Abraham should share in the waters of life.”
“Miriam’s Well” is a landmark project for Peretz, the first time she has danced in, produced, directed and choreographed the same piece.
Her greatest goal, she said, “is to help open barriers and heal tensions between the different spiritual faiths through song and dance.”
As of right now, the show in Berkeley is the only scheduled performance. But Peretz said she hopes to take the show to Israel, where she believes “Miriam’s Well” will dig deepest.
“Miriam’s Well” will be performed 8:30 p.m. Nov. 22 at the Julia Morgan Theater, 2640 College Ave., Berkeley. $24 in advance, $28 at the door. Tickets: (800) 838-3006. Information: www.miriamdance.com.