Jewish Star search

 When Rick Recht calls, he’s likely got something cool up his sleeve. Once again, he didn’t disappoint.

It seems Jewish Rock Radio (JRR), the 24/7 online Jewish radio station that Recht founded, has launched the Jewish Star Talent Search, a competition for Jewish teens and young adults throughout North America. It’s designed to identify emerging talent in the Jewish community who have a passion and desire to impact the Jewish world.

After receiving hundreds of video auditions from potential contestants singing a Jewish song, along with a written vision statement about impacting the Jewish community through music, a panel of judges selected 12 finalists. The finalists were broken into two categories — ages 14 to 18 and 19 to 26. 

About 10,000 people voted online to select six Grand Prize Winners — three in each age group. The six will record their songs in a professional recording studio in Los Angeles and will be flown to St. Louis — all expenses paid — to have a starring role in the 2019 Songleader Boot Camp here in February. 

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Recht said the goals of Jewish Star Talent Search are to identify new Jewish music talent, offer mentorship and skills development and provide mass exposure opportunities to “shine a light” on these emerging leaders.

 “I have an incredibly strong belief in the power of music and the power of Jewish music artists to be identity builders in the Jewish world,” Recht explained. “I wanted to make sure that Jewish Rock Radio and me, personally, are creating opportunities for teens and young adults to step into the Jewish world to share their talent and do it in a Jewish context.”

Recht and company structured the talent search after popular music contest TV shows like “American Idol” and “The Voice,” only adding a Jewish twist. 

“My greatest hope is that through Jewish Star, we identify and cultivate hundreds of teens and young adults who may otherwise never have set foot in the Jewish world to share their talent and shine the light,” Recht added.

Stay tuned for more on Jewish Star Talent Search as the field narrows. For more information about it, go to www.jewishrockradio.com/JewishStar.

Not exactly child’s play

One of my favorite projects is helping third graders at Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School put together their overnight trip newsletter each year. I’ve been doing this for six years and each time I am even more impressed with the caliber of students and their ability to stay on task.

When I first visit, we work on their interview skills, so that they will be prepared to ask questions of the folks in charge when they go on their annual overnight to the Shaw Nature Preserve in Gray Summit. The idea is that each student will either write his or her piece, or collaborate with other students, to detail the various aspects of this adventure. Topics include everything from bunking in cabins to the various kinds of plant and animal life to spotting constellations while hiking in the dark. 

After the overnight, I return to help them flesh out their stories. I encourage them to use active language in their sentences, provide as many details as possible and trust their gut.  They then spend a few weeks in class rehashing the trip, interviewing one another and doing additional research so that they can write their stories, which eventually are printed in a newsletter, with photos, that go home to parents. For the past few years, the Light has also put these stories on its website so readers can take a look, too. 

This year is no exception. If you’re curious, visit www.stljewishlight.com/smjcs18.

Backpack stack

Judy Pearlstone asked for our help with Project Backpack, and since this is the season… For those unfamiliar, Project Backpack provides St. Louis area police departments, social service agencies, domestic violence shelters and Department of Family Services workers with backpacks filled with necessities and comfort items. Filled backpacks are then delivered to children the moment they are needed. 

As Judy explained it, Ameren and the St. Louis Blues have teamed up to sponsor Power Play Goals for Kids. Project Backpack was one of four children’s charities chosen to compete for big prize money. Every power play goal this season earns the winning charity $200. The charity with the most votes wins.

To vote until Jan. 31, go to www.amerenmissouri.com/blues, enter your name and email. For every $200 Project Backpack receives, it can provide new backpacks —and everything in them — for 10 more kids in crisis.