frontlines
P
In a scre
Rappin'
Maccabee
Defeats
Antiochus
Sam Ser
Special to the JN
R
abbi Reuven Margrett, who
teaches rabbinics and scribal
arts at Frankel Jewish Academy
in West Bloomfield, was tasked with
preparing content for the school's
weekly Town Hall presentation, which
often includes a humorous short video
produced by students and staff
Knowing that two of his scribal arts
students, seniors Mitchell Schwartz and
Gabe Dell, were interested in rap music
production, he started brainstorming
ideas with them and suggested a Jewish
twist on the Youtube sensation, Epic
shot fro
video, FJ
senior Mitchell
Schwartz
plays Judah
Maccabee;
Rabbi Reuven
Margrett,
scribal arts
teacher, plays
Antiochus.
Rap Battles of History (http://
epicrapbattlesofhistory.com/about).
"At first, I was reluctant to do it, but
Rabbi Margrett showed me his vision
and made me realize that it could be
really cool:' said Schwartz.
The two collaborated on lyrics
while Dell prepared the beat. Margrett
brought in props for both his character,
Antiochus, and Schwartz's character,
Judah Maccabee. At the end of the video,
Antiochus helps light Chanukah candles.
They recorded their lyrics and filmed
their scenes with FJA video and graph-
ics editor Adam Luger during lunch
breaks and after school over a few days,
adding Dell's beat and background
images to create the final product that
they presented to the school at last
Friday's Town Hall.
"It was good for the students
involved, and it created a nice
Chanukah feeling in the school:' said
Margrett. "I'm very happy that the
students were able to use their talents
in constructive, Jewish ways that are
inspiring and entertaining for others."
After seeing the positive response
that the Chanukah rap battle video
generated, Margrett is now thinking of
ways to continue the theme for other
Jewish holidays.
To see the video, go to http://bit.ly/
WOlebo.
❑
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Community Calendar
theJEWISHNEWS.com
Dec. 20-26, 2012 I 7-13 Tevet 5773 I Vol. CXLII, No. 20
Around Town
20
Arts/Entertainment
47
Business
38
Calendar
25
Dining Around the D ....24
Family Focus
36
Food
52
Israel
6, 21, 40
Letters
5
Life Cycles
55
Marketplace
57
Metro
8
Next Generation
32
Obituaries
Points Of View
Sports
Spotlight
Staff Box/Phone List
Synagogue List
Torah Portion
Tzedakah
62
40
44
34
6
42
43
28
Danny Raskin
Robert Sklar
Shabbat Lights
Shabbat: Friday, Dec. 21, 4:45 p.m.
Shabbat Ends: Saturday, Dec. 22, 5:51 p.m.
Shabbat: Friday, Dec. 28, 4:49 p.m.
Shabbat Ends: Saturday, Dec. 29, 5:56 p.m.
54
40
On The Cover:
Page design, Michelle Sheridan
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relationship with Hebrew Free Loan.
Years ago, when Scott and his wife
were purchasing their first home, the
agency helped with financing through
a program designed to keep Jewish
families in Southeast Michigan.
Years later, when the Warners
were ready to pursue adoption, they
selcted an adoption agency, and, after
examining their savings and other
resources, they approached HFL for
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Scott said. "I came to HFL with the
plan and the paperwork ready, and
we met with the interviewers, and
talked. They heard our story, asked
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the process, so we could begin our
family."
A few months later, the Warners
brought a baby boy into their lives.
"He has a huge family now, lots of
cousins, and he's as happy as we
are. He's the best kid...l truly don't
remember what life was like before
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should know they are there to help."
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December 20 • 2012
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