Elzbieta Szlufik-Pantak, choreographer, was born in Poland. She graduated from the University of Lodz (cultural studies) and then from the Academy of Music in Warsaw (dance theory). She was the co founder of the Kielce Dance Theatre where she danced leading parts and also choreographed her own works. She received the Silver Cross Merit in 2000 as well as some other important awards. As a choreographer she worked with theatre and ballet companies as well as created spectacles with choirs and orchestras such as the Passion of Christ to music by Pawel Lukowiec and Seven Gates of Jerusalem to music by Krzysztof Penderecki. This is her second work for the Israeli Opera.