By COLlive staff
On Sunday, the students of Bais Rivkah High School in Crown Heights, together with the 6th Grade, performed at their annual musical production, showcasing their incredible talents.
The high-energy annual production had the students working hard for weeks, from sewing costumes, to building props and practicing their parts, culminating in a professionally produced, entertaining and uplifting show.
This year’s production portrayed the true story that was told by Rabbi Moshe Bryski, director of Chabad of the Conejo in Agoura Hills, California.
The moving story told through drama, song and dance, had the audience enthralled, entertained and inspired.
Here is the story they told as published by Rabbi Daniel Bortz in the L’chaim Magazine:
Rabbi Moshe Bryski often tells an incredible story that happened to him. One Shabbos, a father and daughter arrived with a moving truck to the house next door. They met the Rabbi and came over for Shabbos lunch while the movers unloaded. The father told him how, before moving, he prayed to G-d to send him a sign that this was indeed the right place to bring up his daughter. “I never realized G-d would send the sign within minutes of our move!” he told the Rabbi.
Over the next few months, the man began to attend classes and signed up for a course, entitled Faith and Suffering. He cried through the first few classes and eventually told the Rabbi a painful piece of his life story.
Two years before moving to the Valley, he had lost two of his three children in a tragic car crash. His marriage fell apart and he began considering suicide. He decided to take his surviving child out for one more evening of quality time before ending his life. She wanted to go to the movies and they chose a movie theater near their home in Simi Valley.
When the movie was over, they left the theater and were shocked to find a Hassidic festival going on outside. It was the fourth night of Hanukkah and some Rabbis had set up live music and a Menorah lighting. He and his daughter were pulled into the dancing. He told Rabbi Bryski, “With each dance, I heard the Menorah lights speaking to me, telling me that there will yet be joy. That light always triumphs over darkness.” The man returned home inspired and decided right then to move to a new community and try to begin life again.
As he finished his story, Rabbi Bryski, shaken, told the man to wait a moment. He went over to his photo albums and pulled one out.
“I was at the mall that night. I had just arrived in Los Angeles and was looking for a new mall where we could light a Menorah and bring the light of the holiday to others. I did not know anything about Simi Valley but I found it on a map and called information to ask for the number of the mall. When the operator asked which mall I wanted, I was silent, not knowing how to respond. She gave me the first mall listed, which was Mountaingate Mall. When I called the mall to arrange the event, the woman asked me if I was sure I wanted that mall. When we arrived, I understood why she had asked. The mall was deserted; every store had closed except the movie theater. Since we had already brought everything, we stayed, and set ourselves up outside the theater. Only a handful of people joined us that night and we considered the event a total failure. Little did any of us know that an entire life hung in the balance that night.”
King Solomon in Proverbs teaches: “The human soul is the candle of G-d.” Each of us is a light that the darkness of the world needs. As we gaze at the Menorah candles this year, let’s remember to illuminate the world with goodness like the lights. We have no idea what impact we can have.
VIDEO: Rabbi Bryski tells an incredible story:
I remember reading it years ago in Malka Tougers book Excuse Me Are You Jewish?
This is such a moving story! I loved the production and I’m so proud of being one BR senior’s mother. Go BR seniors!
Loved it ! The best one ever
I’m not usually a fan of plays, but this one was really portrayed beautifully. The actors were great, there was awesome songs and it was just so moving. Well done!
I am blown away about the amazing work that these BRHS students portrayed. It really gave me nachas! Keep up the good work!