Jennifer Apple as Hannah Senesh. Photo: NYT Folksbiene.

Six years ago, I reviewed the play Hannash Senesh, where the title character was played by Lexi Rabadi. So it was interesting to see the same play again — now starring Jennifer Apple, and running at Theatre Row in Manhattan

While Rabadi was excellent, Apple brings more power to the role and will set her emotional hooks into you. The story about Senesh, who risked her life by parachuting into Europe during World War II to save Jews, will never be forgotten.

Apple’s performances is all-enveloping, both as Senesh and also her mother. It’s hard to imagine in our current times how a young woman would have taken on such a dangerous mission.

The play shows Hannah as someone who is a real person — she has grit and strong convictions, and is certain of what she must do, despite knowing there is great risk. Presented in English by the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene, the play is written by David Schechter, and it’s not a lavish or gimmicky show. It’s one where Senesh is poetic, beautiful, a dreamer, and a realist.

The play asks a powerful question: what possesses someone to risk everything in order to do what is right, while some of us live monotonous lives and never act on our strongest beliefs?

Any play about Jewish persecution takes on a heightened tone right now, as we confront rising antisemitism from both political parties.

I usually do not like solo shows, because I often find them boring. But I was not bored for a second watching Apple’s masterclass performance. There is a quick scene with fellow Jewish actor Simon Feil, who plays a Nazi and is quite menacing.

Senesh went forward with her mission despite knowing there was a good chance she would be captured and killed. Going into Nazi-occupied Hungary at that time must have been petrifying for her. We believe from looking at Apple that her character is one who would not give up any secrets despite being tortured.

The play is a snapshot in the life of someone who believed that there were things worth sacrificing her life for. Senesh wrote the poem “Eli, Eli,” or “My God, My God,” that many people sing. The poem expresses Senesh’s hope that the world never ends and mentions: “the sand and the sea, the rustle of the water, the lighting in the sky, the prayer of man.”

The show is a must-see for Apple’s brilliant performance, which also has comedic elements.

Hannah Senesh is a classically well-written play and the words come alive as Apple shines as a character who risked her life for a just cause. It’s a story that should inspire us all today.

The author is a writer based in New York.