At Ma’ayanot, learning never ends. Even co-curricular activities such as the Ma’ayanot play, performed April 9, 10 and 11, are springboards for education. In “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time,” the main character has autism, giving Ma’ayanot’s outstanding student performers and all the viewers an opportunity to empathize with how a neurodivergent person navigates the world. Ma’ayanot faculty, guidance staff and Sinai@Ma’ayanot faculty helped all students learn about autism with grade-wide workshops in the weeks leading up to the play. Cast member Sophie Muschel said, “During scenes when the main character is overwhelmed and the rest of the cast surrounds him to represent his chaotic feelings, the emotion in the room was so intense; everyone could feel it!”
In another exploration of the diversity of the human experience, on April 10, Ma’ayanot held its annual Jacob Grun z”l Memorial Book Day with a focus on mental health and mindfulness. Jacob Grun’s granddaughter Adi Hirshkorn (‘26), introduced the day, which was organized by Ma’ayanot Interdisciplinary Coordinators Tammie Rapps and Nina Taub. Students were able to choose from among four books which were critiqued by an engaging video “book talk” produced by freshman, sophomores, juniors and seniors together. Book Day included a keynote speech by Rabbi Dovid Bashevkin, followed by a choice of workshops by Ma’ayanot’s talented faculty and prominent guests, including Ma’ayanot parents Rabbi Larry Rothwachs of Congregation Beth Aaron and Jewish Link columnist Sarah Abenaim. “We originally planned the event so that the school community could benefit from Ma’ayanot’s exceptional guidance department and unique focus on the whole child. Since October, the need to nurture our emotional health when the world around us is jeopardizing it has only grown stronger,” Rapps explained. Sophomore Chaya Spool commented that “Book Day was so meaningful this year. Combining books and mental health was a great connection!” Ma’ayanot humanities excels in touching the minds and hearts of our students.
