By Ashley Hefner, Photographer and Staff Writer
The Stern College Dramatics Society’s (SCDS) show Journey Through Ruth is not just a play — it is a spiritual journey. Written by Stern alumna Amy Guterson (SCW ‘86) and directed by Jessica Schechter, the show follows five women on a trip to Israel meant to explore the story of Ruth. What begins as a casual trip becomes a beautiful collision of past and present, showing how biblical stories can reshape modern lives.
The play opens with four angels — Gavriella (Shayna Rose, SCW ‘29), Rafaella (Tsipora Berkovitch, SCW ‘28), Uriella (Rachel Ermine, SCW ‘26) and Michaella (Aliza Gans, SCW ‘27). They joke about male-centric portrayals of biblical stories and explain that these stories need “a woman’s touch.” Their comedic opening shows the audience that this story will not be told through a traditional perspective but rather interpreted and challenged through women’s voices.
Soon, the women on the Israel trip take the stage, carrying not only physical luggage but also emotional baggage. Beverly (Chani Weinberger, SCW ‘28) is a woman whose entire life has revolved around caring for her mother, who recently passed away. Rita (Tamara Yeshurun, SCW ‘26), an overworked and emotionally guarded doctor , hides pain behind a strong unbothered facade. Leslie (Mia Friedler, SCW ‘26) masks uncertainty with her spiritual, world-traveling persona. Devorah (Chana Light, SCW ‘28), the Orthodox mother of eight, struggles to hold onto faith as she faces hard times. And guiding them all is Nurit (Aliza Billet, SCW ‘26), the no-nonsense Israeli tour guide who no longer lives in the country, who aims to conceal her desire to return back home with a tough, blunt exterior.
As the women travel through Israel learning about the story of Ruth, the characters begin to come to life. Naomi (Hayley Goldberg, SCW ‘26) and Ruth (Ilana Pollak, SCW ‘26) are grieving, loyal and courageous women determined to find a home, and through the eyes of the women on the trip, they become mirrors rather than myths.
One particularly powerful scene occurs when the group discusses Ruth’s loyalty in choosing to stay with Naomi and travel to the Land of Israel. Their differing interpretations — some view Ruth’s decision as an act of chesed and others as emotional dependence — reflect not only the religious differences between the women but also the ways in which different women navigate relationships, boundaries, responsibility and love. The play pushes the audience to consider not simply what these women believe about the text, but also why personal experiences shape their readings so profoundly.
The emotional climax of the first act arrives when the women visit Kever Rachel (Rachel’s Tomb), and each of them confronts her personal struggles. Beverly trembles as she speaks to her mother and questions who she is without her. Rita’s honesty depicts her not as a workaholic doctor but as a deeply feeling woman heartbroken by loss. Leslie tries to pray despite not knowing how to and not feeling connected how to and struggling to find connection. Nurit confesses, “Last time I prayed here, there was a war.” And Devorah, quietly battling illness, tries to hold onto her faith even as her body weakens.
In this moment, it becomes clear that womanhood — across different backgrounds, beliefs and life experiences — is bound together by shared spaces of fear, hope and resilience. Their voices joining together in this scene is not merely a religious moment; it is a feminine act of unity, each woman showing her vulnerability regardless of the fear that accompanies it.
The second act continues to emphasize this feminine lens through intimate conversations between the biblical women and the women on the trip. Leslie explaining “vibes” to Ruth begins as humor but deepens into a reflection of the intuitive ways many women sense the divine. Naomi and Nurit explore agency from the perspective of women shaped by expectations and obligations. Beverly and Ruth unpack mother-daughter relationships, revealing how love is often both suffocating and saving. Devorah, with her deep knowledge of Tanach and her struggle with illness, offers Naomi comfort and understanding only another woman could— a bond formed by caretaking and sacrifice.
One of the most moving moments in the show is when Rita gives Ruth her Star of David necklace. Though separated by centuries and different personal narratives, the two women are still able to help encourage each other. In this way, the necklace can be seen as a symbol of shared womanhood.
The wedding of Ruth and Boaz helps reconcile each woman’s specific struggle while they all dance around them with high-spirits. Devorah leaves with renewed faith in spite of her struggle with illness. Rita becomes open to exploring love. Beverly decides to reclaim her life and find a path without her mother. Nurit openly acknowledges her desire to return to Israel. Leslie chooses to stay in Israel and attend seminary, letting go of her free-flowing, traveling persona and actively trying to create a home for herself. Above all, the angels — Gavriella, Rafaella, Uriella and Michaella — remind the audience about the importance of unity.
What makes Journey Through Ruth so remarkable is its revamping biblical narrative through a uniquely feminine lens. Instead of emphasizing Boaz and the lineage that came from Ruth, the production illuminates the emotional and spiritual experiences of real-world women today. Themes of grief, loyalty, resilience and vulnerability allow the audience to see Ruth and Naomi as designers of their own fates and as inspirational figures of strength for generations of women after them.
This story is not strictly a religious one but a uniquely feminine one. Through the voices of these women, ancient and modern, the production shows us the sacredness of womanhood and how it is expressed through strength, vulnerability and connection. The acting brought this to life beautifully — every performer captured the full spectrum of emotion, from deep sadness to radiant joy. The beautifully crafted set, with its stone arches and shifting colored lighting, created a world that felt both ancient and real. Put together, these elements bring to life the play’s critical message — just like the story of Ruth, womanhood itself is holy and passed down through generations.
The Stern College Dramatics Society play “Journey Through Ruth” will be performed on December 7th, 9th and 10th. Tickets are available for purchase here.
Photo Credit: Ashley Hefner