Bialik boys rap for JNF
IT IS not often two 15-year-olds win more than $2500 for a song about the environment and Zionism, but this was how it turned out for Jake Fehily and Max Korman, students at Bialik College who entered a film competition at the last minute and joked about wining.
IT IS not often two 15-year-olds win more than $2500 for a song about the environment and Zionism, but this was how it turned out for Jake Fehily and Max Korman, students at Bialik College who entered a film competition at the last minute and joked about wining.
“We really couldn’t believe it, we had a running joke that we were going to win and we kind of forgot about it,” said Jake.
They didn’t quite take the blue ribbon, but Jake and Max’s clip was awarded second place from more than 40 international entries in a competition that asked students to refer to KKL-JNF’s main values: Zionism, forestry and a love of Israel. Teamwork and creativity were key criteria, with clips entered from countries including Mexico, Italy, Argentina, Australia and Israel.
The boys entered the music video competition at the end of last school year, on the advice of Bialik’s director of informal education. “We found out about it from our teacher Michael Schnall in the last week of school. He said if you guys want to, you can go for it,” said Jake, who wrote the clip’s catchcry, “don’t mess around don’t be a fool, just take my advice planting is cool”.
Jake, who will be in year 10 this year, said Max was in charge of the editing.
“Max is absolutely thrilled to hear the news that he and Jake are able to represent Bialik college for JNF. Max is an avid Zionist and away on Habo camp right now and still not aware of all the details. Thank you Bialik, Michael Schnall and kol hakavod to JNF,” said his mother, Fiona Kelmann.
The boys’ achievement was announced to more than 750 people at KKL and JNF’s 110th anniversary celebrations, where Schnall accepted the prize on their behalf.
The judging team comprised three education workers from KKL-JNF in addition to two film experts.
“I would like to thank all the kids who took part in this educational competition. Congratulations to all those who showed great initiative and creativity. I believe that only through education we can influence the next generations to protect the environment,” said KKL-JNF world chairman Efi Stenzler.
Jake and Max said they were planning to donate their winnings to charity.
LIVIA ALBECK-RIPKA
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