Deal JCC to host 2007 Maccabi ArtsFest
Some talented teens from last year's JCC Maccabi ArtsFest
Wanted: hosts
THE JCC OF Greater Monmouth County invites county residents to become host
families to teen artists visiting our community for the JCC Maccabi ArtsFest, which will take place at the JCC in Deal Aug. 12-17.
Host families will provide a place for the teens to sleep and eat breakfast daily, as well as transportation to and from the JCC in Deal.
For more information on becoming a host family or to register as an ArtsFest volunteer, contact housing cochair Mindy Wiser-Estin or call the JCC at 732-531-9100, ext. 124.
The JCC of Greater Monmouth County in Deal will welcome hundreds of talented teens when it hosts the second annual JCC Maccabi ArtsFest this summer. Nationally recognized artists, writers, and performers have joined the roster of artists-in-residence to nurture the young participants' creativity.
Teen artists with an interest in music, fine arts, 
writing, electronic arts, and theater are being sought to participate in the program, to take place Aug. 12-17.
Inaugurated last summer in Baltimore, the JCC Maccabi ArtsFest, modeled after the JCC Maccabi Games, was created by the Jewish Community Centers Association to connect Jewish teens through their shared passion for artistic expression.
Jess Levy, executive director of the Ruth Hyman JCC of Greater Monmouth County, called the ArtsFest "a phenomenal opportunity for talented Jewish teens to get together to showcase their skills with their peers from around the world. We are honored to host this year's ArtsFest.
"It is also a great opportunity for the entire community to get involved to support the artistic dreams of our younger generation," said Levy. "We strongly encourage talented teens to register for the program. 
We also urge community members to host an ArtsFest teen, sponsor the event to help offset costs, or become an ArtsFest volunteer."
The Deal JCC will open its doors to some 400 teens in 40 ArtsFest delegations from around the world. A second site has been added this year: the Adolph & Rose Levis JCC in Boca Raton, Fla. (July 29-Aug. 3).
Through work with professional artists-in-residence and workshops, master classes, performances, and exhibitions, ArtsFest nurtures individual talent while creating a powerful group experience, strengthening ties to Jewish heritage and values.
Participating in this year's Monmouth County JCC delegation will be 16-year-old Chelsea Kantor of Marlboro, who is enrolled in the visual arts program. "I am very passionate about my religion, and I also have a great love of art," said Chelsea. "People think Judaism or religion in general has to be separate from art, but it doesn't. ArtsFest combines those two interests and connects me with other teens from all over the world."
Chelsea said she expects the ArtsFest "will be one of the most amazing experiences in my life."
ArtsFest participants will choose from the following tracks: vocal music, acting, musical theater, dance, creative writing, computer graphics, radio broadcasting, jazz ensembles, classical ensembles, rock/pop bands, and visual arts. Participants will come together at a closing night finale.
ArtsFest is open to teens through JCCs in the United States and Canada; Israeli and Russian teens will be part of some of the JCCs' delegations. In New Jersey, participating JCCs include those in Cherry Hill, Margate, Bridgewater, MetroWest, Wayne, Bergen County, and the Palisades.
Applicants must be entering grades eight-12. The registration deadline is Friday, June 8. For more information about ArtsFest, contact Lissa Yanko Larkin or Randy Topper at the Monmouth JCC or call 732-531-9100, ext. 124.
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