By Avital L. and Shuli G., Eighth Grade Students, Krieger Schechter Day School of Chizuk Amuno Congregation
The annual rak ivrit, or all-Hebrew, eighth grade play is a longstanding and time-honored tradition at the Krieger Schechter Day School of Chizuk Amuno Congregation.
This year, KSDS welcomed a new director to work with the eighth graders to stage an all-Hebrew performance of the classic Broadway show “Fiddler on the Roof.” Ofir Ben-Ari came all the way from Israel to direct the class of 2022.
Ben-Ari, 27, was born and raised in Tel Aviv. Her mother danced with the Batsheva Dance Company in Israel. Her father is a manager for an insurance company, and her brother studies computer science.
Ben-Ari attended high school in Tel Aviv, where she started learning theater and dance.
At 18, Ben-Ari joined the Israel Defense Forces and fought in a co-ed combat unit. Following her military service, she started her pursuit of theater and directed many plays for all age groups.
“I’ve learned theater and dancing in an academy,” she said. “I’ve been directing shows around Israel for 10 years with young kids, teenagers and the elderly. And I love it. I think it’s the most fun and creative way to express yourself.”
In addition to directing and acting in plays around Israel, Ben-Ari works for an organization called the Tarbut Movement that promotes cultural policies in areas surrounding the center of Israel. The company sent Ben-Ari to KSDS as a shlicha (emissary) to work on the play. Ben-Ari also raises money to establish theaters or galleries for the elderly and special needs citizens.
Ben-Ari said she first discovered her love for acting when playing the lead of Moses in her fourth-grade school play. “When I was on the stage, I felt safe,” she said. “I felt at home, and I was so excited about it.”
As opening day for KSDS’s eighth grade play neared on March 14 at the Gordon Center for Performing Arts in Owings Mills, Ben-Ari said she was beyond excited about the opening.
“I really want to see the first run in two weeks. I want to see all of the eighth graders to see their progress from the auditions to now,” she said.
Members of the KSDS community say they have learned so much from Ben-Ari and the fresh view and new ideas that she brings to the rak ivrit project. Students say they admire and appreciate her teaching style.
According to Maya L., an eighth grader at KSDS, “With Ofir’s help, our play is coming along really smoothly.” Ava P., also an eighth grader, agreed, noting that Ofir “understands what is best for our show.”
Ellie B., a fellow eighth grader, said, “I like that Ofir is a ‘go-with-the-flow’ kind of person.”
Ben-Ari said she is incredibly grateful for her time here in Baltimore and with the KSDS community and the families who are hosting her. But she admitted that being away from her home is hard.
“I think the part that is hard for me is just being away from my community, my family and my wife,” Ben-Ari said.
“Fiddler on the Roof” was performed Mar. 14-15 at 7 p.m. at the Gordon Center, 3506 Gwynnbrook Ave. in Owings Mills.
Avital L. and Shuli G. are eighth grade students at the Krieger Schechter Day School of Chizuk Amuno Congregation.
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