Bergenfield—Four MTA grades study Shakespeare in English class and attend performances, but senior Shai Cohen of Bergnfield headed to the city-wide round of the annual English Speaking Union National Shakespeare Competition. Coached intensively by Mrs. Harriet Levitt with assistance from Ms. Danielle Lewis, Shai presented a speech from one of Shakespeare’s works along with a sonnet; he chose Berowne from Love’s Labour’s Lost and Sonnet 73 (“That time of year thou mayest in me behold”).

He was accompanied by Ms. Lewis and the alternate winners, freshman Eli Szafranski of Teaneck and senior Eliyahu Spivack of Passaic.

Shai performed at the New York Public Library’s Schwartzmann branch, giving a skilled, humorous rendition of a young man who is in love against his will (Berowne) and then he offered a sensitive rendition of an old man preparing to say goodbye to the person he loves (Sonnet 73).

Congratulations to Shai, Eli and all who participated in this year’s competition!