The one act opera “Kmo Kulam” (Just like everyone else) is comprised of a prologue, 2 scenes, an instrumental intermezzo (tango) and an epilogue. It is sang in Hebrew to text taken out of Kibbutz meetings’ protocols. It is written for 2 soloists (MZ and Bar.), mixed choir (with about 20 solo parts for the choir singers), strings and organ. Its duration is about 25 minutes without the recited text and 45 minutes for the entire play.

The piece demonstrates a critical view on the suppression of the individual on behalf of an ideology.
It deals with the downfall of the Kibbutz, which it seeds can be tracked in the way the individual’s needs and spirit were disregarded by the community.

I was intrigued to composed the piece after reading a book my parents and their friends published in order to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the arrival of their group to the Kibbutz. Among the authentic documents they have selected to appear in the book, I was moved by a protocol of a Kibbutz meeting, in which the Kibbutz members publicly discussed the nomination of my mother to the role of the Kibbutz economist (who is in charge of the kitchen and the provisions of the Kibbutz). My mother’s was nominated to the position by the Kibbutz members themselves, and throughout the entire discussion, in which she was present, didn’t express her mind once, and had to endure hearing the “objective” harsh criticism against her nomination, said by her friends, in her presence, without being given the opportunity to defend herself. This strong dramatic scene moved me into setting music to it, as well as for other 3 documents and to create the opera “Kmo Kulam”.

The name of the opera depicts the essence of what was considered to be bon ton at that period, to wish to be just like everyone else, by erasing all traces of individuality. People wanted to do the right thing and that meant be like everyone else.