בס"ד DECEMBER 2017| KISLEV-TEVET 5778
LION'S SHARE A Grade 6-12 publication.
Juda and Maria Diener Lower School | Samuel and Henrietta Scheck Middle School | Ben Lipson Upper School
"In the study of art, students gain a working understanding of the principles of design and become familiar with analyzing and understanding works. Students are encouraged to develop personal reactions and ideas. This helps to nourish the students' awareness through self-referral and reflection; they become more visually aware, flexible, and appreciative of the arts." -Ellen Sorin, Upper School Art Teacher
Tali Fiske, Grade 8
Alessandra Zisman, Grade 11
arts thrive at scheck HIllel From early childhood through high school, arts education is a core component of Scheck Hillel’s curriculum. Upper School offers more than 15 courses in the visual and performing arts, including Advanced Placement and Honors classes. Hillel students have graduated to some of the nation's top art schools, including Pratt Intitute, Berklee College of Music, Art Institute of Chicago and Savannah College of Art & Design, and, as alumni, are enjoying careers in the arts. Musical theatre and after-school electives complement the program. This edition of Lion's Share is dedicated to the arts, marking the final month of the tenth anniversary of the Jordan Alexander Ressler Arts Endowment, which took the school's arts department to the next level, transforming it to become a cornerstone of the Scheck Hillel student experience. Scheck Hillel is grateful for all that Jordan's family has done to enrich the arts and create student opportunity. We honor his legacy as a community.
Mauricio Woldenberg, Grade 10
"Leading up to solo and ensemble competition, my teachers - Mr. Villa and Mr. Gil - really helped me sharpen my skills. Through band, I've developed a better ear and appreciation for music." -Michael Berenstein, Grade 10. pictured left. Michael earned an "Excellent" ranking for alto saxophone in the recent district contest. Scheck Hillel Arts Faculty Visual Arts Rosa Benattia, Hadassah Freiberg, Sandra Resler, Edith Shlesinger Ellen Sorin
Michael Berenstein, Grade 10
Performing Arts Anthony Campisi, Pablo Gil, Dionne Lockett, Angelica Losada, Stephanie Romay, Linda Shapanka, Matthew Villa
Austin Ben-Shmuel, Grade 5, Ellie Esquenazi, Grade 7 Stuart Rosenthal, Jordan Alexander Ressler Arts Chair Sampling of Arts Courses Visual Arts AP Studio Art: Drawing & Design Beginning Band, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Orchestra Instrumental Technique Honors Instrumental Ensemble Honors Music Technology & Sound Engineering
Q&A with jonathan yunger, '05, hollywood movie mogul Where do you live at the moment? Los Angeles, California
it today. I believe that it sharpens the mind in all aspects and is a blueprint for living in the world today. Whether you're religious or not you should absolutely learn Torah. The stories run deep and there are many lessons in there that can be applied to today.
What is your current profession and where do you work? How did you come to work in this field? I am the Co-President of Millennium Films, one of the largest independent film companies today. I started out as an assistant six years ago, and got very lucky. Variety magazine named me one of “10 Assistants to Watch” in 2012. I was later promoted to casting and moved up in the company. I am one of the two youngest producers that are making huge films today.
What is your advice for future Hillel students who might consider a career in your field? If you focus on the goal, you won’t see the obstacles. What is the last book you read/podcast you heard that taught you something you didn’t know before? I like to read books about business and making deals. Something that truly resonates is that the person who controls the deal is someone who can say “no” and walk away. This lesson has helped me in my own career.
I began as an actor at Scheck Hillel, and was very involved with the theatre program. When I was a kid, I knew I was going to make movies. It’s all I wanted to do, all I knew! What educational path did you follow? After attending a couple of months of university, I went to Israel to attend yeshiva and then came back. I began studying acting in New York and then picked up my stuff and moved to Los Angeles to follow my dream. Now I lecture about the film business at the University of Southern California and Chapman University.
Photo courtesy of J. Yunger/Millenium
These are a few of Jonathan's movie Something else I find truly rewarding is to be credits*: able to have a role in changing someone’s life, Upcoming - "First We Take Brooklyn," because of how I was helped throughout my "The Outpost," "#21" career. 2017 - "The Institute," "Security" 2016 - "London has Fallen" I like telling great stories, as in the upcoming 2015 - "Dementia" film “The Outpost.” It’s about the American 2013 - "Homefront," "Olympus has Fallen" soldiers fighting in Afghanistan. I will be 2012 - "The Expendables" speaking to the actual families. Being able to We'd love to hear from you! Share what you've been share those stories later is truly rewarding.
What is most rewarding about the work you do? What are the challenges? up to since your days at Scheck Hillel. Please contact When one of my movies is in the theaters, one Jessica Wiznitzer, Development and Alumni Engagement of my favorite things to do is go to the cinema What is one essential academic or life skill Associate, at 305.931.2831 x833, or write to and watch people’s reactions. I did this for the you honed at Scheck Hillel? wiznitzer@eHillel.org. I really enjoyed learning Gemara. I still learn recent movie “The Hitman’s Bodyguard." *Source: IMDb.com
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