t feature: entertainment
scary movies
set the scene
for fall fun
by Scott Scher
who tells him that the world will end in 28
hough Halloween's origins are Pa-
days plus change. (Jewish actor Jake Gyllen-
gan and have little to do with Ju-
haal stars as complex Donnie; his real-life
.1– daism, it's still hard to escape the
sister, Maggie, plays his sister in the film.)
frightfully fun traditions surrounding the holi-
The Exorcist (1973): Ah, nothing like the
day — including watching scary movies. Here
devil taking over a girl's body to make even
is a list of top scary films — all with some
Freddy Krueger shake in terror. Regarded
Jewish connection — to watch this holi-
as a film to scare the devil out of you, The
day, but not alone and not in the dark.
Exorcist combines great acting and incredible
The Omen (1976): Nothing like Sa-
special effects to give you a terrifying expe-
tan to give you goose bumps, especially
rience. Linda Blair does a phenomenal job
when he comes in the form of a seem-
playing the possessed girl. (It also starred vet-
ingly harmless little boy. There are two
eran actor Lee J. Cobb and was directed by
versions of this film, the original, star-
William Friedkin, both Jewish.)
ring film great Gregory Peck, and the
The Ring (2002): This film will make you
most recent with Julia Stiles. The film
think twice about putting in a videocassette
follows the birth of a young boy From Jaws poster/Universal Pictures
ever again. In this freaky film, the story fol-
who has the mark of Satan (the
dreaded Triple 6). In this case, the original is much lows a newspaper reporter who watches a video that exploits a young
scarier. (Director Richard Donner, writer David Seltzer girl. And then comes that infamous phone call that says you've only
got one week to live (aw, man). This is definitely a must-see. (Adam
and actor David Warner all are Jewish.)
Friday the 13th (1980): The man with a hockey mask at Brody and David Dorfman, as the son, both are Jewish.)
Jaws (1975): Da-dum Da-dum ... you're probably getting
Crystal Lake is Jason Voorhees, one of the greatest serial kill-
scared
already. The score and music of jaws reshaped horror films
ers ever to grace the screen. If you enjoy random, pointless,
yet entertaining slasher films, make sure you pick up some
chapters of this legendary series. (The first young
Jason was Jewish actor Ari Lehman, now a
musician.)
Donnie Darko (2001): In recent
years, no movie has been more hailed
by critics for just plain creeping them
forever. It also was a film that made you think twice before swim-
ming deep in the ocean. From the opening scene to needing a big-
ger boat, this is the ultimate scary movie. (Director
Steven Spielberg and actors Richard Dreyfuss, Lor-
raine Gray and Carl Gottlieb all are Jewish.)
Scott Scher, 17, is a senior at North Farmington High
out. The story follows a teenager who
survives a freak accident, then is visited
by a giant rabbit (yes...a giant rabbit)
School.
Please check with your parents. Some of these movies are violent or
have an R rating.
Georgetown Productions Inc.
a note from the editor
{T2T torah: lech lecha
October 20, 2007 — by Jake Wayne
Dear Readers:
before your journey, go to yourself
A belated shanah tovah, and best wishes for a happy, healthy, fun
New Year.
This issue is our sixth, marking a half-year of Teen2Teen. Whew!
This week's Torah portion, Lech Lecha, is where God talked
there would never have been a beginning of the Jewish reli-
So far, we've grown from 15 teens on staff to more than 40. We've
to Abraham for the first time. "God said to Abram: 'Go from
gion. Part of any journey that we must go on requires us to
had our first summer intern, Hades Corey, who helped ease our
your land (Lech lecha m'eretzcha), from your relatives, and
take a step back, look at who we are and become the figure
growing pains and even put me on Facebook to better communicate
from your father's house to the land that I will show you."
we aspire to be in order to fulfill or set a goal.
with the staff. I haven't figured it out yet — but at least I'm not ad-
Abraham begins his journey to the land of Canaan, which
Abraham's challenge was obviously much greater than
dicted. (See our cover story.)
any we as young adults face today. Leave his home, travel
Best of all, we've uncovered talented, interested teens who
God was asking a lot of Abraham. To start fresh meant
the desert with his family for some unknown amount of time
want to write and share their voices with each other — and with
leaving everything that he was comfortable with, like friends
in search of a holy land that God would show him — now
older generations (who tell me they like what they see).
and a community. However, to be able to fulfill God's com-
that is a huge challenge! It was a mission that he could not
So, we'll keep up the good work.
Thanks for reading.
now is the home of the Jewish people — Israel.
mandment to him, Abraham needed to realize his potential
possibly have accomplished simply by packing his bags and
as a person. That is why God first told Abraham: "Go to
running out the door. He needed to first do as God asked,
yourself."
"Go to yourself."
B'shalom.
As young adults, we have several important challenges in
Abraham reflected on his life, took a good look at himself
our lives — to be the best player on the basketball team, to
and figured out what it was he needed to do to fulfill his pur-
be a successful student, to get the lead role in the play or
pose in life. Only after that could he answer God's call.
Ken Guten Cohen
simply to be the best sibling or son. In order to accomplish
In our lives, we all need to have faith, not
these goals, we must first look inside ourselves and reexam-
only in God, but also in ourselves before we
ine exactly what it is we would like to achieve. Like Abraham,
embark on the next journey to reach a goal.
PS. You can help us. For an upcoming story, we are looking for
we have to discover our potential and be willing to go the
Lech lecha!
Jake Wayne, 13, is In eighth grade at
teens who have started their own businesses. Know of any? Don't
Birmingham Derby Middle School.
kcohen@thejewishnews.com .
extra mile to complete the task.
Without Abraham's ability to literally "become himself,"
2B teen2teen October • 2007
T2T executive editor
they need some free advertising? E-mail me with contact info at