JCC Maccabi Artsfest
JCC Maccabi ArtsFest is a weeklong summer arts experience for creative Jewish teens ages 12-17, featuring workshops in a variety of specialties with some of the leading artists in each field and incorporating community service, social activities, and themes of Jewish heritage, community, and Israel. The JCC Maccabi ArtsFest combined with the JCC Maccabi Games create one joint JCC Maccabi Experience, which gives our participants the opportunity to be a part of a larger Jewish teen community and allows us to offer them so much more.
Dear Parents,
We would like to share with you part of the letter we recently received from the JCC Association of North America regarding the 2021 JCC Maccabi Games and ArtsFest.
As part of our commitment to transparency and to keeping you informed about JCC Maccabi®, a signature event of JCC Association of North America, after much thoughtful deliberation, JCC Association has decided to suspend the traditional JCC Maccabi Games® and ArtsFest® in 2021.
The lay and professional leadership of JCC Association and the JCC Maccabi Games® carefully considered many factors before reaching this difficult conclusion. In addition to the public health concerns associated with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, those factors included the logistical issues and financial obligations that the host communities and delegations must meet well in advance of the 2021 Games.
Although this “pause” results from unfortunate circumstances beyond our control, we intend to use this valuable time to undertake timely strategic planning for JCC Maccabi® as we know this process will lead to a bright future for this longtime, beloved program—and to an outstanding JCC Maccabi® program in 2022 and beyond.
Thank you for your continued commitment to JCC Maccabi®, your understanding in these challenging times, and your patience. We appreciate them all.
The cancellation of the Games and ArtsFest due to COVID-19 comes as no surprise, but disappointing nonetheless. As soon as we hear of plans for 2022, we will eagerly share them with you. In the meantime, stay well, and please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.
Thanks,
Julie Minor
Manager, Jewish Student Connection and Teen Engagement
jminor@jccchicago.org
2020 Specialties
In the Acting/Improv specialty, professional artists work with you to form an ensemble that will explore theatrical performance technique, process, and staging at a professional level. You will learn various traditions of improvisation and theater from slapstick comedy to monologue and scene work. You will be challenged to master your improvisational and acting pieces to be performed for your peers at the ArtsFest Showcase—the grand finale of JCC Maccabi ArtsFest.
Culinary Arts specialists at JCC Maccabi ArtsFest will get into the kitchen with professional chefs and be engaged in every aspect of running a kitchen and preparing great food. From choosing the right ingredients and learning new cooking techniques, to understanding the history and culture behind food, you will learn how to plan a menu and understand the process of transforming raw ingredients into delicious dishes. Your culinary creations will be showcased, served and devoured at the Final ArtsFest Showcase for your peers from JCC Maccabi Games and ArtsFest—the grand finale of JCC Maccabi.
Working with the Artist in Residence, you will explore dance technique and enhance and stretch your skills as a dancer during ArtsFest. You will be on your feet with a professional choreographer as you expand your movement vocabulary, learn new pieces, grow your dramatic and technical range and perfect a piece that showcases your current talent as a dancer as it challenges you to learn something new. As the culmination of your work, you will perform a piece for the other specialty groups and your peers.
Are you a director, cinematographer, editor or writer looking for your next creative outlet? If you’re itching to share your craft and produce a short film in just three days, then the Film specialty is made for you. The Film specialty is an opportunity for filmmakers of all levels to practice their craft, and create a story using required elements that will be given – a character, prop, and a line of dialogue – each of which must appear in all films. Teen filmmakers will be assigned to teams, and each team will also receive a randomly picked genre for their film. After just a few short days, each film will be screened during the Final Showcase.
Working with professionals with Broadway experience, you will be challenged to master a variety of the best musical theatre pieces ever created. Working with the Musical Theater Artist in Residence, you will build an ensemble over the course of the week, as you develop your stage vocal technique, dance and movement skills as well as song interpretation. These choreographed musical numbers will then be performed for your peers at the ArtsFest Showcase.
Discover what really makes a band rock. Under the guidance of a professional musician, you will experience the art of songwriting, performance techniques, and the changing world of music. Working with your Artist in Residence you will form bands and learn what makes a band successful. Finish off your week by performing live at the ArtsFest Showcase.
Learn to express your inner voice with professional artists who will guide your creation of a series of projects for your personal portfolio. Collaborate and explore new mediums with your fellow artists using a variety of art materials to create original artworks that will be prominently displayed throughout the week and in a final exhibit.
Vocal Music/Glee is an opportunity to hone your pitch, harmonization and vocalization as well as performance techniques. Led by professional artists, you will explore your vocal instrument, and enhance your onstage skills both as an individual and as a member of the ArtsFest ensemble. Under the guidance of your Artist in Residence, you will be challenged to learn a variety of songs for the ArtsFest Showcase for your peers from JCC Maccabi Games and ArtsFest.