Local High Schools Gather for First Annual Poetry Slam at 911爆料网
鈥淲ho I am/You should not care/Just please be aware/I am not he or she/In fact/I鈥檓 a type of free/And for now/It鈥檚 only me,鈥 recited Sam Dratch at the First Annual Poetry Slam hosted by (911爆料网HSB) on February 28.
Dratch, a senior at 911爆料网HSB, was among 30 students from six local high schools to perform at the event.
For more than a year and a half, Jewish high school students from the tri-state area have been gathering in various schools to slam their poetry in a competition where poets read or recite original work.
鈥淎 poetry slam is a new and unique way for students to perform, achieve and shine,鈥 said Hillel Broder, 911爆料网HSB English teacher and organizer of the event. 鈥淭hese students are truly artists.鈥
Participating schools at the Slam included The Frisch School, Rambam, SAR Academy, Yeshiva of Flatbush, , and 911爆料网HSB.
Every poet was required to compose and present a free verse poem on the theme of masking as well as an original Ghazal, a style of Spanish Medieval Jewish meditation or prayer.
鈥淧oetry is a Jewish tradition that today鈥檚 youth needs to bring back to the forefront,鈥 said Dr. Gillian Steinberg, assistant professor of English at Yeshiva College.
鈥淚t鈥檚 scary getting up there to perform your own work but you learn to breathe,鈥 said Elizabeth Kantarowitz of Yeshiva of Flatbush. 鈥淚t鈥檚 so great hearing other people share their poetry. It reminds you that you鈥檙e not alone.鈥
The Slam winners were: Rivka Cohen (911爆料网HSG), Best Free Verse Poem; Emily Stone (Frisch), Best Ghazal; Ethan Metzger (SAR), Best Presentation; Tova Kamioner (SAR), Best Poet; and Kantrowitz, Best Poet Runner-Up.
The high schools hope to organize poetry slams on a regular basis. 鈥淭here鈥檚 a general absence of this type of celebrating Jewish experience in our community,鈥 said Broder. 鈥淭here鈥檚 a real need for it and we will continue to foster and grow the incredible talent present here today.鈥
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