On Sunday, Bruriah students took the stage in two sold-out performances of their annual production, Chazak V’Ametz Libecha. From start to finish, the production showcased the immense range of talents of the Bruriah student body, like acting, singing, dancing, costume and set design, stage management, and so much more. The self-confidence that Bruriah works to instill in its students throughout the year is abundant throughout the production season, as it gives students space to take on leadership roles and cultivate their unique talents.

The production depicted the story of an Israeli reservist named Itai who is called up to serve, and the challenges endured by him and his family during his time there. This storyline enabled the audience to explore the roles of family, community and tefillah in challenging situations. Audience members laughed and cried as they reflected on the raw emotions from October 7. Several mothers commented after the show how grateful they were that Bruriah confronted this important topic with sensitivity and grace.

The Production, directed by Mrs. Kayla Broth, was used as a vehicle to give students the space to process the enormity of the historic events of the last year and a half. This was accomplished by having community members and leaders, each with unique perspectives on the war in Israel, mentor the students in an effort to deepen their personal connection to the storyline and create an authentic experience on stage.

Principal Dr. Bethany Strulowitz expressed, “While the legendary Bruriah Production has always provided our students with a beautiful opportunity to cultivate their talents and interests to create something spectacular, this year’s Production, under the incredible direction of Mrs. Broth, enabled our students to explore and nurture their leadership skills, self-confidence and empathy, and bring these skills to life as we live through history. Ultimately, it is our hope and vision that, through the meaningful mentorship program and dynamic experiential education embedded within Production each year moving forward, our students will carry these skills with them beyond the stage and have a profound impact on Klal Yisrael.”

Special thanks to the Healthcare Foundation of NJ for their generous grant that facilitated the social-emotional mentorship during Production.