Ariela Rozentul is a 14-year-old girl from Cliffside Park. She is currently a student at Bergen County Academies, and attends Chabad of Fort Lee. In 2021, Ariela wrote and produced her first short independent film, “Butterfly,” which was inspired by true events. In 2022, she completed her second short film, “Follow the Crow,” a horror story starring herself, a close friend and a crow. Ariela has been professionally acting on stage and in film and television since she was 6 years old, and also loves to produce, write and sing. Unfortunately, she has had to “take a break” from performing since July, due to a sports injury from Krav Maga training, and has a long nine-month recovery ahead of her.

So Ariela decided to focus her efforts on an incredible cause by partnering with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) to organize fundraising events for brain cancer research because May is Brain Cancer Awareness month. Ariela wanted to participate because members of her family and synagogue have had brain cancer, and she has seen friends’ families affected by this disease. Ariela knew that MSK is leading the world in its brain cancer research; her family knows the chair of the department of neurology and has seen how dedicated he is to his patients.

Ariela is joining together with talented young artists who have been part of various theatrical productions including “The Lion King,” “Frozen,” “On Your Feet” and “Matilda the Musical” to raise money for brain cancer research. They organized the “Young Voices Against Brain Cancer” cabaret, which will take place at the Triad in Manhattan on Monday, May 7 at 2 p.m.. This fundraiser will include performances by 17 young artists. Ariela and her 16 friends are posting on social media (Facebook, Instagram) and contacting their families, friends and people in their networks to spread the word and donate. They also hope that once people in their communities hear about this event they will also be willing to help and support such an important cause.

The ultimate goal is to raise funds, educate people, create an annual, larger fundraiser, and involve the future generation. Ariela has supported many of her friends’ causes but has taken ownership of this cause. “As an actor and performer I am able to reach many people, and I am very comfortable being in public promoting this cause,” Ariele said. “I am happy that my voice can spread awareness and help us get closer to finding a cure.”

So, how can you help? You can donate directly to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. (https://www.mskcc.org). Use the QR code in this article. Join Ariela and her amazingly talented friends at the fundraising cabaret on May 7 at 2 p.m. at the Triad, 158 West 72nd Street. (For tickets, visit https://tinyurl.com/458vtap8.) All profits and donations are going directly to brain tumor research at MSK. Most importantly, please share this information with your family, friends and colleagues to help Ariela raise funds for brain cancer research at the world’s leading cancer hospital. You can see more of Ariela on her Instagram @arielarozentul_artist

By Julianne Katz