In his video, Gradshtein impersonates a religious man, Baal Teshuva by the name of “Yaakov.” He constructs his “cover story” with the help of a real Baal Teshuva, whom he interviews about the process of his “return to religion.” Using this information alongside elements from his own biography, he infiltrates Musrara neighborhood as a resident who looks like most of the neighborhood’s residents. During his stay in the neighborhood he will build a tree house where he plans to live. Yaakov’s goal is to “enlist” the residents of the neighborhood to his help and successfully document the endeavor.
Matan Gradshtein is a graduate of Musrara New Media Department. He lives and works in Jerusalem.