(Courtesy of Ma’ayanot) On May 21, Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School’s 900-seat student center was packed to capacity for the annual Heartbeats production, an evening of song, dance and connection. Building on this year’s school-wide theme of Ma’alin BaKodesh, the commitment to be the light in dark times, the Heartbeats theme, “Ignite Your Spark,” celebrated each person’s unique light and potential, encouraging every student to recognize and embrace her individual talents, passion and inner drive.

The sold-out Heartbeats production featured over 25 acts with students from Ma’ayanot and Sinai at Ma’ayanot, including inspirational songs about finding the beauty in challenge, tefillah and community; show-stopping aerial acrobatics; and high energy, synchronized dancing.

Reflecting on the Heartbeats theme of Ignite Your Spark, the songs selected for Heartbeats this year revolved around the theme of turning to Hashem and persevering through times of difficulty. They discussed how the challenges one goes through are an opportunity for growth and hope for finding the light at the end of the tunnel. All people have the light within them and their paths to discover that light might not always be the way one pictures, but through turning to Hashem and those around them they are lifted up and can persevere.

Heartbeats raised over $27,000 for Ma’ayanot Shana Ba’Aretz Fund in memory of Donny Morris, z”l. Mirlana Morris movingly conveyed her son’s love for Eretz Yisrael to the audience, and shared how comforting it is that students will have the opportunity to learn Torah in Eretz Yisrael as a result of students’ efforts in Heartbeats.

“Heartbeats is student-initiated, student-led and student-directed, reflecting Ma’ayanot’s values,” Head of School CB Neugroschl proudly told the crowd, and more students than ever participated this year. Daniella Rifkind (Ma’ayanot ’20 and a performing arts legend herself) put her heart and soul into facilitating the students’ creating a production of professional caliber. Ma’ayanot senior and Heartbeats business head Baila Gopin was proud “to support the magic behind the scenes, with Mrs. Rifkind’s help, making sure all the logistics ran smoothly so the incredible talent of all the students on stage could truly shine.”

Seniors and Lev Echad heads Orly Bieler, Shira Ginsberg and Lea Teitelbaum rejoiced that Heartbeats gave them the opportunity to be leaders, be inclusive, make meaningful connections and form new friendships. Sophomore Tahlia Avery also appreciated that she “made so many new friends across grades, and saw my friends in a new way, sharing their talents outside the classroom.”

“The best part of Heartbeats is seeing the students so happy; they were beaming!” said Rifkind. “Heartbeats is such a healthy outlet — a way for students to express their talents and creativity, all for a tzedakah activity.” “At Ma’ayanot Heartbeats, music and movement are expressions of holiness, of serving Hashem with joy,” noted Neugroschl. “Heartbeats represents the best of Ma’ayanot — where students lead, shine and celebrate!”