One of Ma’ayanot’s most anticipated annual events is Heartbeats, an evening of song and dance for women of the community, which raises funds for a different chesed organization each year. Every element of Heartbeats is completely run by students, and leadership of Heartbeats is a treasured part of the senior experience at Ma’ayanot. This year, with Kol HaNearim as the organization chosen by students to receive funding, the question on everyone’s mind was: Would the show go on?
Baruch Hashem the answer was yes! Despite the challenges of planning COVID-safe rehearsals and performances, Ma’ayanot students were able to spearhead this incredible event and showcase their remarkable creative talents (including an aerial performance!) on Thursday May 20, for fellow students and women of the community. Ma’ayanot was thrilled to celebrate students’ resilience and creativity as they truly delivered: choreography, costumes, choral harmonies and charisma—Heartbeats 2021 had it all!
Dean of Students Bailey Braun praised the seniors for being “respectful and creative” about all aspects of rehearsals. Dance leader Dina Baron explained that “being a dance head for Heartbeats has been such a fulfilling job. I love seeing all my girls from all grades working hard and working together to make the dance fun and exciting!”
Fundraising has also been successful, thanks to students’ efforts and the dedicated parents, grandparents and community members who have sponsored the Heartbeats playbill and participated in creative fundraising endeavors such as the Ma’ayanot car wash, a fun event in itself. At both performances, Alexandra Posner and Noa Rubinstein shared their meaningful experiences volunteering for Kol HaNearim in Israel. Molly Norman, business head, exclaimed, “I love Heartbeats! It has given me the chance to raise money for an organization close to my heart, to be a leader for students and have the chance to perform. I’ve been counting down the days to show the whole school and the community what we have been working so hard for!”
