Orchot Plus: Behind the Scenes at Hidabroot Channel

What could be better than covering behind the scenes of a show on Hidabroot Channel? Covering two shows, to be precise. "You should come early," texted me Zoharet the evening before, an active and energetic content editor, who is mainly involved in bringing special guests for the panels to the show I'm covering this time, 'Orchot Plus'. "Dana Schwartzman is the first guest, maybe you'll have time to catch a relaxed chat with her." I'm excited: Wow Dana, how I'd love to chat over a cup of coffee.

So I left on time that morning, and there wasn’t even traffic on the way. But what wasn't there was parking, one of my nightmares. I circled around for another ten minutes, went back to the parking lot where I usually park when I come to the channel, and decided to park at the end of a row. I got out of the car, sent two pictures to my husband just to make sure I wasn't blocking anyone's way, and hurried to the waiting room for guests on the minus one level of the building. I stood at the entrance, seeing Michal sitting on the sofa with an impressive woman. In a moment of unusual confusion for me, while they politely greeted me, I almost interrupted their conversation: "Who are you?" I asked the lady while shaking her hand.

Behind the scenes of the program, including MK Hotovely

"My name is Noga Segev," she answered, while handing me a business card. "Efficient woman," I thought to myself. So what do you do? I fired the next question while sinking onto the sofa and trying to catch my breath. "Wait," she smiled at me. Michal owes me an end to a story here, so I'll be with you shortly. While muttering apologies, I ran to the coffee corner, because it always calms me. As soon as I finished making it, and turned towards the door, it swung open, and there stood Dana. Already made up, ready and willing, and she also wants coffee.

What fascinates me more is the fact that till today Dana hasn't interviewed on television shows. So what is she doing here (or indeed, who is the genius that got her here)? Isn't it a bit drastic? And, of course, when I have a question, I must ask. "Oh, it's not complicated," she answers simply. "Until today, I haven't done it because of child-rearing. It's not appropriate for a mother whose children are studying in Hasidic institutions, speaking Yiddish, to go from show to show on different general channels." Even coming to Hidabroot she didn't want initially, and the content women worked hard to get her here. "One could say I really chased her," Zoharet admits embarrassedly. "But it was worth it," she smiles.

"And honestly," Dana smiles, "I'm completely pleasantly surprised. Besides feeling at home here, there's no feeling of a TV channel at all. There’s none of the pressure, yelling, or the cold interviewer–interviewee feeling, and there’s impressive professionalism here." And Dana is not the only one mentioning this. Many interviewees who were on big, esteemed channels expressed amazement when they got to know the place. Well, is it any wonder? Do you think the people here are acting? Pop into the control room for a moment, see how Tiki Vidas, Dikla Partoush, and Devorah Farkash, running development and content and overseeing things from above, lead the team with a strong hand, all while cooperating and smiling (well, and also explaining to the commoners like me). And see how Shiran Finder, the efficient and energetic producer, ensures everything flows smoothly, exactly according to the plan.

On the screens, the characters appear one after the other. Devorah tries whispering compliments and kudos to everyone working with her there, but I'm floating. My gaze is hypnotized to the screen, and I find it hard to ignore the women's discussion unfolding before my eyes. "Listen to me a bit," Devorah lightly scolds, "You're supposed to cover this show, aren’t you?" she smiles. I try to recover, but the screen is just too tempting... The guests there are all of the highest caliber. Intelligent, respectable women, each talented in her own field. Later I will meet Nurit Sirkis Benk – the daughter of the legendary Ruth Sirkis, a daughter who returned to Hashem, connected to Him at enviable levels, and full of such love it simply overflows from her. The daughter of one of the women most identified with food, cooking, and recipes, and she herself is vegan and vegetarian. Living off some sprouts she sprouts herself, and on Shabbat, she tastes a tiny bit of the fish, just to avoid MDG. Even Ziva Meir, a counselor and parenting guide, exudes tranquility in the waiting room and even offers tips here and there. Interested, engaging, explaining. I sit there open-mouthed and don't want to move. So much power in this room. How is it? The atmosphere is electrifying, the body refuses to leave.

A Heated Panel Opens with Torah Talk

In one of the panels, I notice the diversity of the participants. Ultra-Orthodox, religious, and secular. "And it's no accident," Devorah clarifies. "We are here to provide a feminine answer to all the variety of needs a woman requires. We certainly strive to bring the best professionals without considerations of religion and faith – of course, everything with mutual respect. But we really want to connect everyone as women and bring the abilities to something practical that will help viewers. There are many women just waiting for this hour to hear all the ideas, tips, advice, and stories from a clean, inclusive place, from a place of respect and understanding, and not from pushing an interviewee, or biasing a certain side, and with full professionalism, so women understand there’s a place here for what they need, without having to seek inappropriate sources."

Indeed, the list of women who have appeared on the program is impressive. Rebbetzin Yehudit Yosef, Rachel Bolton, Dana Schwartzman, Tzipi Hotovely-Alon, Racheli Evenboim, psychologist Tzipi Reine, Dr. Chana Katan, Dr. Ayala Gliksberg, Nurit Sirkis Benk, Hadva Levy, Yaara Yeshurun, Ziva Meir, Yael Zalts, singers - Maya Yeshayahu (Ingadash), Revital Simchi, Ilana Adani, journalists - Shelah Chesedil, Sari Roth, Riki Rat, Shoshi Heller, actresses - Ortal Barzilai, Ilanit Lansky, and the list just goes on...

"What is innovative about Orchot," Zoharet Cohen says, "is the identity of the participants, the topics, and the target audience. In this aspect, we are quite pioneers. The program, in fact, opens a women's discourse on a variety of topicsmatched to the religious sector's various shades (the problem of late singleness in the general sector is not similar to the problemof singleness in the observant sector). We aim to create a unifying television framework, bringing the voice of a sector that has not always had its expression at the forefront of the screen, under the umbrella of the channel. Our panels deal with everything from children's education, economic problems, through women's business entrepreneurship, discrimination of mothers in employment, bride-to-mother-in-law relationships, to eating disorders. Additionally, we bring women with unique personal stories (stories of return, stories of struggle) and experts from different content worlds, broadcasting external reports, and always beginning and ending each program with a Jewish insight."

"Indeed," Devorah nods emphatically, "This is one of the most important things in the program, if you notice. We don't start a program until we hear words of Torah from the host. The opening is Jewish – value-based, and the entire structure of the program is built on this foundation. I haven't seen a program dedicated solely to women on any channel."

Even Eva Chemian, the tireless program editor, doesn't forget to whisper her philosophy about the program in my left ear, in which she also serves as an external reporter. In the right ear, if you're really curious, there's the lovely and gentle Helen Ben David, who's captivated by the screen when Noga is speaking – her favorite today, as she's a guest brought in through her, after knowing her from her days in channels 2 and 10, and after a long period during which it wasn't possible due to various reasons. "I think this program brings something different to the screen," states Eva decisively. "No more women's programs that start with stockings and end with cosmetics. Women are much more than that. They are a world of colors, complexities, depths, and sensitivities. Appropriate to the diversity of a woman's complex inner world made of many layers, so is the program woven from a variety of segments, including deep interviews, lively panels, expert corner, Jewish insight, throughout which are woven words of wisdom and Jewish thought, a mix crafted by Devorah Farkash. During the program, you will also see external reports. One of them is a cooking report, which each time dives into the world of another interesting woman. Cooking becomes just part of the issue, most of which is occupied by that woman's daily life activities. This segment is accompanied by Simdar Morag."

"The Men on the Set Just Come to Help..."

I'm darting between the fascinating control room and the electrifying waiting room, not knowing where to stay more. Isn't it possible to be in two places at once? I ask myself a childish question, but that's really how I feel. In no time, the clock will strike four. I'm in shock. I have to pick up the little one from kindergarten. I've overdone it, no doubt. It's supposed to be a workday for me, but I'm already going beyond the hours. I don't mind. If it weren't for the kid – which is above all – I'd stay on for more hours. But I can't leave without catching Efrat Stern, the professional and gentle host – who gives her all to the program, and it shows on screen in her questions, in her understanding, in the prior knowledge she diligently acquires about her interviewees, trustworthy and inviting viewing. "The program 'Orchot Plus' feels to me like the mitzvah of welcoming guests," says Stern with her shy smile. "With an open heart, we warmly welcome the women guests on the show. We come to listen, learn, and be moved! All the show's team, from the director and editors, to the producers, are smart and smiley women (the men on the set just come to help...). No wonder the interviewees sitting on the set, the first thing they tell me is: What a special atmosphere this channel has.' May we draw from the joy, wisdom, and good heart that characterize the program into our lives."