Mind the Gap

Officer Az-Oolay of the Yashar-El-HaLev police began her service on August 1, 2020, in Balfour, Jerusalem. Armed not with weapons, but with heart-shaped stickers, she aimed to spark joy, connect with people, and practice listening—with the heart as her guide. Since then, she has journeyed through turbulent times, responding to the evolving challenges of Israeli society.

The events of October 7 marked a turning point. Az-Oolay began working closely with evacuees and initiated marches for the release of hostages—reshaping her mission. After over three and a half years of fieldwork, Officer Az-Oolay developed a unique method rooted in the use of love as a tool. Her work explores how to transform the narrow spaces between people into openings for connection.

How do we dare to enter the unknown gap between one another? How can we create space within pain?

This interactive performance and tour blends personal stories from the field, exercises, and techniques from the Yashar-El-Ha-Lev police. Audiences will be invited to participate in a journey through Beit Hansen, where each room offers a different encounter—part storytelling, part guided exploration of the personal and collective heart.

Photography: Yair Meyuhas