Most people know Martin Buber as a philosopher, theologian, or folklorist—but fewer know he also wrote a play. In Elijah: A Mystery Play (1956), Buber offers a dramatic retelling of the prophet Elijah’s story—one that’s often dismissed as an oddity from his later years. But Buber’s lifelong fascination with both Elijah and the theater suggests there’s more here than meets the eye.

In this class, we’ll explore why Buber turned to drama, why Elijah so captivated him, and what new insights emerge when we read (and maybe even try performing) parts of the play together. No experience with Buber, theater, or Elijah is expected—just curiosity and a willingness to dive in.

Catherine Rouvinov-Kats a theatre director and researcher. She is the founder and artistic director of the Cunning Folk – a non-profit theatre group which presents plays related to religion and mythology – and focusses academically on the relationship between Jewish religious thought and artistic expression. She recently graduated from Harvard Divinity School, and will be shortly moving to Chicago with her husband to begin doctoral work.