>> ... Next Generation ... A Story-Telling Tradition Former Metro Detroiter and filmmaker seeks funding for documentary. JACKIE HEADAPOHL I MANAGING EDITOR Jason Zeldes A still shot from the ason Zeldes, 25, has been working exclusively in documentary filmmaking for the past four years, racking up credits on several feature films. The Metro Detroit native grew up in Farmington Hills; he attended services and became a bar mitzvah at Temple Israel. He graduated from North Farmington High School in 2005 and headed to the University of Southern California's School of the Cinematic Arts in Los Angeles, where he studied documentary editing and directing. "I come from a long line of Jewish storytellers. My great-grandma, Dinah, emigrated from Russia and regaled the family with Yiddish stories from the old country," said Zeldes, whose parents, Jeff and Lisa Zeldes, live in Novi and own Levin's Beauty Supply in West Bloomfield. Since graduating, Zeldes has been steadily rising through LA's documentary community as a film editor. He recently completed work on Morgan Neville's upcoming music documentary titled Twenty Feet From Stardom, and is now working on his directorial debut, Romeo Is Bleeding, for which he has launched a KickStarter campaign to raise the initial $25,000 to get j the film's production under way. His great-grandmother's storytelling had a clear trickle-down effect on Zeldes. "It led my aunt Laura Raynor (an Ann Arbor native) to a career in storytelling, in which she focuses on family and Jewish themes," Zeldes said. "My generation is comprised of writers, poets and filmmakers, and we wrestle largely with social issues in American society. My personal projects to this point have been focused on family and community." His current project, Romeo Is Bleeding, focuses on the development of a community and of open communication through a group of creative writing students who risk everything to inspire change in their impoverished community. "While these aren't overtly Jewish themes, these are values that are deeply ingrained in me through my upbringing in a family of Jewish storytellers," Zeldes said. Romeo Is Bleeding documents the students of a Richmond, Calif., creative writing group called RAW Talent (Richmond Artists With Talent), who are no strangers to trauma. Their city is small, but the homicide rate is abnormally high, with teens killing It's Back: Latke Vodka 8 E VIVIAN HENOCH I SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS . fi ght years ago — around the dawn o Facebook — it was a bar night with a potato theme. My, how it has grown. From those first Chanukah latke nights hosted for "young adults" in the community, the annual social event has blossomed into something of a Jewish Detroit phenomenon, reflecting the spirit, the energy and momentum of a new generation. A homecoming for many and a celebration in its own right, Latke Vodka drew more than 700 attendees last year. Building on its wild success, and thanks to word-of-mouth and social networking, the event is expected to attract as many as 1,000 people to the Royal Oak Theater on 24 November 8 « 2012 Nov. 24, the Saturday night after Thanksgiving. "With thousands of young Jewish Detroiters home for the Thanksgiving weekend, Latke Vodka has become the place to be," says event co-chair Michael Chosid. "If you're 21- 45 and looking to catch up with old friends or looking to meet someone new, Latke Vodka is definitely the hottest spot in town. With great music, dancing and hors d'oeuvres, it's an event not to be missed." Much More Than A Party It's not the food and beverages, how- ever, nor the name of the band that brings so many through the doors. Latke Vodka has become a reflection of the growing strength of the up-and-coming documentary film each other over turf Romeo Is Bleeding divisions between north and central Richmond. to pay The students at RAW for cinematographers, producers and Talent have found their voices through equipment to capture this story in the scope spoken word poetry and are determined to intended. The money also will go toward change Richmond with their art. travel and lodging, as well as miscellaneous The film will follow the students and staff costs of production. It will also help to pay of RAW Talent as they prepare their biggest for the establishment of post-production, show to date, Te's Harmony, a modern re- as he puts together a longer piece for telling of Romeo and Juliet set in Richmond. continued investment from other sources. The Shakespearean masterpiece has been Zeldes is passionately committed to reworked into spoken word poetry and seeing the project through. "This story is Richmond vernacular, creating an allegory especially appealing to me because I get to for the conditions haunting Richmond and collaborate with my cousin (and a fantastic its young citizens. poet in her own right), Molly Raynor, who "When I heard the story of Te's Harmony, founded the creative arts group that I'm I was immediately compelled to drop documenting in the film," Zeldes said. everything and make a film. The more "Hopefully, through our efforts, the tradition progress we've made, the more committed of storytelling can continue to trickle down I've become to making sure I tell the story to the next generation." ❑ of RAW Talent with the care they deserve," said Zeldes. To contribute to Zeldes' The KickStarter campaign (at press time) KickStarter campaign, logon had reached $16,000 of its $25,000 goal, to www.kickstarter.com/ which must be met by Sunday, Nov. 18, in projects/921886202/ order to receive the funding. romeo-is-bleeding. Zeldes said the $25,000 will allow him Jewish community, celebrating, connect- ing and working to welcome new faces into the fold. Few other events bring so many young Jewish Detroiters together. Networking, shmoozing and community- boosting are encouraged. "Detroit Jews come from near and far to be a part of Latke Vodka," says event co-chair Emily Pomish. "It is not only an event to create awareness of NextGen, but also a great way for people to reconnect and create a stronger community while just having a great time!" It's Good To Be Home "You would be amazed how many 'expat Detroiters' come home for Latke Vodka each year," says Bryan Fenster, social media strategist at the Jewish Federation. Born and raised in Huntington Woods, Fenster returned home just over a year ago after a five-year stint in Chicago, where his wife, Cara, finished her doctor- ate degree. "My heart has always been in Detroit," Fenster says. "The bond Cara and I feel to our city, and really the region, can only be described in one word: love. This is our home. We are at an exciting stage in our lives. The future is in our hands to make this the city we want it to be. Latke Vodka is a great way to celebrate that and to join with the many peers who are on the same mission. And, of course, to have a fantastic time." Will Latke Vodka 8 be the biggest and the best ever? Show up and find out for yourself. ❑ Vivian Henoch is a Web content developer at the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit. Latke Vodka 8 takes place from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 24, at the Royal Oak Music Theater. For information, contact Rachel Lachover at (248) 203-1485 or rachel@ communitynxt.com . Tickets are $20 in advance; $25 at the door. Register at www.jewishdetroit.org/latke.