Graphic by Highlites Staff
When you take time to consider the name of our parsha and the directive Hashem gives Moshe and Aharon, something seems a little strange. The pasuk tells us:

 וַיֹּ֤אמֶר ה׳ אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֔ה בֹּ֖א אֶל־פַּרְעֹ֑ה כִּֽי־אֲנִ֞י הִכְבַּ֤דְתִּי אֶת־לִבּוֹ֙ וְאֶת־לֵ֣ב עֲבָדָ֔יו לְמַ֗עַן שִׁתִ֛י אֹתֹתַ֥י אֵ֖לֶּה בְּקִרְבּֽוֹ׃

which is generally translated as:

“Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh. For I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his courtiers, in order that I may display these My signs among them”.

However, the translation is a poor one. It should not read “go” to Pharaoh, rather, “come” to Pharaoh. The literal translation of בֹּ֖א is “come”, so why do we all of a sudden translate this word to mean “go”?

Our sages teach us that there is a deep lesson embedded within this apparent “mistranslation”. Hashem was not sending Moshe (go) to the palace of Pharaoh, rather, Hashem was inviting Moshe to (come) join Him in a visit to Pharaoh. Hashem assures Moshe that he will never be sent out alone; Hashem will always be with him. 

Sometimes we think that we can only see God within the contexts of Torah learning, prayer, and mitzvah observance, however every single experience in this world is an invitation of “בֹּ֖א” from Hashem Himself. Moments like a walk outside, talking with a friend, or a simple game of basketball can all be encounters with the Creator of the world, if we indeed accept the invitation of “בֹּ֖א” and behave accordingly. The Baal Shem Tov famously said that every single moment in this world is an opportunity to express that the world is filled with Hashem’s glory. 

For the past few weeks our students have worked incredibly hard with Ms. Jill Lustig in preparing the production of The Diary of Anne Frank. I have seen, firsthand, the effort and care put into every single detail, and it has been astounding. Our students have given their all to present an important story of our history. More than that, they have all accepted the invitation which Hashem first extended to Moshe Rabbeinu. They have all connected with and brought Hashem into their preparation and performance. Although in a venue that is not a classroom, shul, or beit midrash, they have heeded the teaching of the Baal Shem Tov to make every moment, as mundane as it may seem, into a meeting with the Divine. I, along with the rest of the KYHS community, want to express incredible pride in our drama department for not only engaging in the arts in a heartful and authentic way, but for also engaging with our Father in heaven in a way that has been inspirational for all. Yasher Koach!

Good Shabbos,
Rabbi Nachbar
The Diary of Anne Frank  
The Drama Department Puts on a Dazzling performance of The Diary of Anne Frank

Graphic by Naomi Reichenberg ('22)

This week, under the direction of Ms Jill Lustig, KYHS students put on a production of The Diary of Anne Frank. There were two casts that performed on two separate nights to give as many audience members an opportunity to attend the show as safely as possible. Members of the cast have been rehearsing since September, starting on zoom and then meeting outside after school and on weekends. 

In order to be able to perform the show as safely as possible, members of the cast and crew were tested for Covid five times leading up to the show date. We feel incredibly blessed to have been able to run a performance safely during the pandemic. 

The performance of this particular show was especially important to us. Performing the Diary of Anne Frank brought to life the stories of real people whose lives deserve to be honored. We not only paid tribute to the lives of the Franks and Van Pels, but to the six million other Jews who perished during the Holocaust as well. 

The productions were made possible by the incredibly talented and devoted crew led by Lielle Lasko (‘20), Nava Shekhter (‘24), and Tahel Peretz (‘24). Ms. Jill Lustig, the director of KYHS’s drama department, has been bringing stories to life on the stage at KYHS for seven years. Each show put on by the immensely hard-working KYHS drama department is more outstanding than the next, but The Diary of Anne Frank was particularly special. We are so grateful to have been able to have told such an important story and put on such a fantastic show. 


Article by Ariella Greenberg ('22)
Lielle Lasko's Lasting Legacy
A Tribute to Lielle Lasko ('21) for the Countless Hours of Hard-work and Dedication to the KYHS Drama Department
Graphic by Highlites Staff
Lielle Lasko (‘21) has been an integral part of ensuring that the KYHS drama productions have run smoothly for the past four years. She has been running backstage operations for the past four years at KYHS, prior to which she worked as the backstage manager at BMA alongside the amazing KYHS drama producer Ms. Jill Lustig. 

As the stage manager, her responsibilities have included being at all rehearsals; calling the show; setting up mics, lights, and music; ensuring that all the cast members are prepared and the set is ready for the production; and lending a hand to the director in whatever way possible. 

For three years she has worked as stage manager alongside Chani Kaminetsky (‘20) and is now working with Nava Schekter (‘24). The abundant variety of KYHS productions she has helped to run includes Beauty and the Beast, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Mary Poppins, Clue, Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat, Brighton Beach Memoirs, and, most recently, The Diary of Anne Frank 

“It has been an honor to work alongside Lielle Lasko this year. She is such an important part of the play and has taught me so much about running everything that happens behind the scenes. I am amazed at how much she does and even more so how spectacularly she does everything. It really will not be the same without her sitting next to me at all the rehearsals and the production next year. She will be missed by the KYHS drama department and the entire KYHS community tremendously,” remarked Freshman Nava Schekter. 

“Lielle has brought art, entertainment, and meaningful experiences to thousands in her time at KYHS and has elevated our theatre program exponentially,” KYHS drama producer Ms. Jill Lusting said. “Her dedication to the program and to KYHS knows no bounds. She will be greatly missed and I’m so thankful for the time she was here, and can’t wait to watch her take on the world!” 

Thanks to Lielle Lasko, the drama department has put on so many fabulous productions over the past four years. The plays would truly have not been the same if she had not ensured their perfection. Lielle has left a mark on the KYHS drama department and we are so excited to see what incredible things she will do in her future. We wish Lielle much hatzlacha next year and beyond!


Article by Penina Kahane ('22)
Highlites Staff