Crossing artistic bridges
Jubilant teen artists of the MetroWest delegation to the JCC Maccabi ArtsFest included, from left, Micah Friedman, Andrea Waxman, Joel Davis, Josh McCafferty, Hannah Roukas, Hannah Sotnick, Charlotte McCafferty, delegation head Carol Berman, Stephanie Shulman, and, kneeling, Jason Wien and Rebecca Rosenblatt. Photos by Jill Huber
Bridges, an integrated performance piece, played to packed houses at the Axelrod Performing Arts Center in Deal on Aug. 17, as Jewish teens from Israel, Ukraine, and throughout North America — including MetroWest — finished up their week of creative energy at the second annual JCC Maccabi ArtsFest.
A celebration of performing and visual arts, the festival took place Aug. 12-17 at the Ruth Hyman Jewish Community Center in Deal. A 17-member MetroWest delegation was among more than 225 talented teens who participated.
Bridges, which was compiled and directed by TV, screen, and stage actor Geoffrey Cantor, one of the festival's 10 professional artists-in-residence, showcased performances of dance and musical theater and jazz, classical, rock, and pop music.
Throughout the performance, computer graphics selections compiled by ArtsFest participants were displayed on a rear projection screen, along with creative writing samples authored by other teen artists. Other prose samples were read on stage by the authors.
All the ArtsFest teens came on stage at the end of the performance to join together in singing "Lean On Me," which inspired enthusiastic applause — and a sing-along — from the audience.
The festival's theme, "Building Bridges," was designed to encourage the participants to reach out to each other and their communities, and to achieve a greater understanding of world events, according to ArtsFest director Lisa Karasic.
Fully engaging in the theme was an integral part of the experience for Rebecca Rosenblatt, 15, of West Orange, who participated in the dance category.
"By the end of the first day, I had met Jewish teens from all over the United States," she said. "By the end of the festival, I made a lot of new friends and we promised to keep in touch. And in my dance classes, I learned a lot about self-expression through dance."
The JCC Maccabi ArtsFest Metro West delegation, from left, Jason Wien, Micah Friedman, Charlotte McCafferty, Joel Davis, Sarah Pasternak (partially hidden), Joshua McCafferty (partially hidden), Maya Schechner, Cheli Arussy, Rebecca Rosenblatt, Andrea Waxman, delegation head Carol Berman, Ivan Wei, Hannah Sotnick (partially hidden), Sharon Litwinoff, Hannah Roukas, and Stephanie Shulman.
The achievements of the MetroWest delegation were lauded by Carol Berman, who headed the group. "These young artists were so receptive, and they put their hearts and souls into the components of this festival," said Berman. "I think we're looking at the future of Jewish art and expression. Every teen artist brought something to the mix.
"The week was an incredible journey of learning, friendship, and artistic and personal growth," she continued. "You could see it happening throughout ArtsFest, as the teen artists grew personally and professionally. I have no doubt that they will be a strong source within the arts community."
Hannah Roukas, 14, of Millburn, who also attended the dance workshops, said she plans to pursue her dancing and hopes to be a part of future ArtsFest events. "I learned so much about dance and I made new friends," she said. "The presentation of Bridges was one way to reach out to the community and show them what we can do and that we care about the Jewish community."
The festival, which originated last year at the JCC in Baltimore, was conceived by the national JCCs Association as a cultural counterpart to the annual JCC Maccabi sports competition.
This year, the artists-in-residence instructed attendees in workshops that included acting, musical theater, dance, creative writing, computer graphics, radio broadcasting, all genres of music, and the visual arts.
Throughout the week, the ArtsFest teens also engaged in community service, participating in a "Day of Caring and Sharing." They assembled Rosh Hashana care packages and holiday cards for Jewish service men and women who are stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan and for their families at home.
Teens involved in the visual arts and computer graphics also created a mural that was donated to the Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch.
"These projects will help build bridges that will take us to new places and possibilities," said Judi Franco, a talk-show host on radio station 101.5 FM, who gave the welcoming speech on the festival's opening day. "Everyone here will be able to look back at the bridges that were built and crossed as a result of ArtsFest."
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