About c.a.t.a.m.o.n Dance Group

c.a.t.a.m.o.n Dance Group is based in Jerusalem and serves as the home for dancers, choreographers, musicians, lighting designers, and artists from various fields, who collaborate to produce joint contemporary dance projects. Alongside creating and performing dance pieces in Israel and abroad, the group, under the artistic direction of Elad Schechter, curates and produces two annual festivals: ‘From Jaffa to Agripas’, dedicated to presenting dance creations in alternative spaces, and ‘Room Service’, a multidisciplinary festival combining instrumental music, film, and dance. The group also initiates international collaborations, including ‘Interstices’, a choreographic exchange program between Montreal and Jerusalem. Since its founding in 2012 by choreographer Elad Schechter, c.a.t.a.m.o.n has become a key player in Jerusalem’s cultural scene.

Vision

c.a.t.a.m.o.n Dance Group seeks to inspire social change and connect diverse communities through dance. The group works to strengthen Jerusalem’s multicultural fabric, share the city’s vibrant and complex story with audiences in Israel and worldwide, ultimately creating an artistic bridge between different cultures. Through performances in unconventional spaces and both local and international collaborations, c.a.t.a.m.o.n brings dance closer to a broader audience, while supporting the local dance community and promoting innovative, authentic, and multicultural creativity. The group aspires to showcase the city’s cultural complexity through original, contemporary creation and artistic partnerships rooted in tolerance and acceptance.

Elad Schechter

Elad Schechter, born in Jerusalem, is a choreographer, dancer, curator, and cultural entrepreneur whose works are inspired by the city’s historical, cultural, and social complexity. Schechter founded c.a.t.a.m.o.n Dance Group in 2012, driven by a vision to lead innovative dance creation that connects people and diverse communities both in Jerusalem and internationally. His works reflect Jerusalem’s multiculturalism, bridging past and present, tradition and innovation, while engaging constantly with the spaces where they are created.
Throughout his career, Schechter has presented his works on major stages in Israel and around the world, receiving acclaim for the unique choreographic language he has developed—a language combining intense movement with emotional depth and subtle artistic interpretation. His commitment to making dance accessible to broad audiences is reflected in his choice to perform in non-traditional venues and collaborate with diverse communities. Through c.a.t.a.m.o.n, he continues to promote projects that address social, cultural, and artistic themes, reinforcing Jerusalem’s status as a vibrant cultural center. Schechter has received international recognition, including a silver medal at the International Choreography Competition in Beijing, and remains a central partner in artistic initiatives in the city, integrating art with social commitment.