As we experience the days that lead us to Shavuot, the sisterhood of Ruth and Naomi stands as a strong model for warmth, chesed and wisdom. In this spirit, the Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School hosted a performance night celebrating the myriad of talents of RKYHS young women. In its inaugural year, Koleinu, or Our Voices, showcased students’ varied creative strengths, as women of the school community came to cheer on their daughters. The program benefited the Friendship Circle’s Lifetown Building campaign.
While the evening was the brainchild of the female Judaic faculty—Margot Botwinick, Chaya Miriam Gerson, Norma Mintz and Sharon Weinstein—the students created and developed their routines largely themselves. Ms. Weinstein noted, “This program was unique in that the girls were able to create their acts with minimal guidance from the faculty. The students had the opportunity to be leaders in their area of interest. They worked together with their peers in order to create something unique that highlighted their strengths.” In that vein, it was decided early on that students should emcee the evening. Sophomores Ali Reich, Ricki Schlussel and Olivia Lefkovits did so with grace, professionally moving the evening along while injecting the program with their energy and fun.
Among the night’s acts were a number of stellar vocal performances. Both the American and Israeli national anthems were led by students. Each grade had a choir that brought together students from various social groups. Their efforts blossomed during their performances, as the girls sang in harmony.
But Koleinu was not only about song; students found their voices through other means, as well. A large freshman group performed a dynamic hip hop routine. Junior Olivia Butler performed an original poem, and senior Sara Shrier’s time-lapse video showed her remarkably realistic sketching of a fellow student. Freshmen Shelly Liebov and Rachel Kaplan produced a music video for “A Whole New World,” and junior Alyssa Bloomberg simultaneously performed the song in sign language. As the audience watched one act after another, they found much to applaud.
Students and faculty worked together with Musical Director Elana Greenspan. Ms. Greenspan, who directs the drama and music programs at Camp Dina, accompanied many of the musical acts. She also performed a memorable act herself: an original bluegrass tune to “Lecha Dodi,” in which she played a mandolin, banjo, violin, and bass, using a looping machine to layer the instruments. Ms. Greenspan then sang the song, looping in multiple harmonies. It was inspirational to see how she had developed her considerable talent and how she so joyfully shared it with others.
As Koleinu ended, Sharon Weinstein noted that while it was beautiful to celebrate the varied abilities of the students, it was perhaps even more meaningful to see the ways that individuals flourished behind the scenes. Students’ leadership qualities emerged,in coordinating routines and in recognizing others’ abilities and needs when working together.
