So far, they’re only children and not very well known, but they’ll soon mature into the city’s greatest stars: singers, dancers, doctors of medicine and jurisprudence, actors and models – all part of one particularly vibrant project.

Shlomi Herzberg brings you our next generation.

Medicine: Saving Lives

Sofia Barash, 15½, is one of the youngest volunteers at Magen David Adom (emergency first aid station), whose newly renovated building was made possible by the generous contribution of the Middlesex Jewish Federation. She’s been working there for over a year and feels that the experience will enrich her throughout life. "Early last year, an MDA representative came to my classroom and explained all about the volunteer work they offer. It interested me from the outset, so I signed up for the first aid course. Several days after completing it, they told me I had passed and I was really happy about it," she tells us enthusiastically.

Now I want to take a course that will train me for intensive care ambulance work, where they take care of the more serious cases. Little by little, I’ll learn medicine and maybe work at it in the future."

Modeling: Runway Leader

Rotem Arbiv, 18½, is not very tall according to worldwide professional modeling standards, but Esterika Nagid already defines him as a "coming attraction in the world of modeling." "Esterika saw me when I accompanied my sister to her agency and ever since then, she calls me whenever there’s a show." For over half a year, the young model has been striding down fashion show runways at the Dead Sea, in the malls of Beersheva and elsewhere. He’s even done a few shows for us along the pedestrian mall during summer vacation.

What do your friends say about your being a model?

"They’re all OK with it. I have a few friends in the profession and even my parents are all excited about my modeling career."

What about IDF service?

"I’m being drafted in March, but that won’t disrupt anything because modeling is mostly a hobby for me."

What are your goals?

"To progress and succeed in modeling and do a little acting as well. In the future, I see myself as a business professional. I really like business and hope to develop my capabilities to the maximum."

Swimming: A Stroke Ahead

Aviad Pik, 18, who’s been swimming since age 11, is in twelfth grade, attending a matriculation incentive study program. He also participated in the JCC Macabbi games as part of the Central New Jersey Delegation. He discovered the joys of swimming quite by chance through his best friend, who practically had to drag him to swimming lessons. Aviad and the water have been inseparable since. "Half a year after I joined the pre-professional swimming program, I was chosen for the team and competed against other youngsters."

He’s got a collection of over 400 medals (!!!) that he won at hundreds of competitions, some of them overseas. He’s especially proud of having beaten the local champion at a swimming meet in Germany, where he won a gold medal. "These are achievements that I could not have attained without my coach, Yaron Eilati, a true giant of a man." A muscle injury kept him from winning the summer championships few months ago, but he’s getting better and is already preparing for the upcoming winter competitions, at which he’s convinced he’ll win another gleaming medal.

Dance: Like A Champion

Albert Shaulov, a talented 16-year-old dancer, is starting his third year as a breakdance and hip-hop dancer with Michel (Mike) Pointer. He recently won a scholarship after being selected as an outstanding student.

How did it all start?

"My mother registered my younger sister for dancing lessons. Once, she couldn’t pick my sister up because she was at work, so I went to get her instead. I came there a few minutes early and saw them dancing. I got really excited about it. At that moment, I said to myself that I’ve got to learn to dance like that too."

What have you accomplished until now?

"I belong to the Tziere Arad(Young Arad Troupe), which is funded by Partnership 2000 of Arad/Tamar, New Jersey/Delaware. Nearly every time we perform, I do a breakdance number with a few of my colleagues. Meanwhile, I’m continuing to learn the moves, because this kind of dancing changes all the time."

What’s your dream for the future?

"In another few years, after I finish my army service, I’d like to be a dance instructor, to turn the hobby I love into career moves."

Music: Striking the Right Chord

Michal Migras, 15½, has been starring in the Tziere Arad (Young Arad Troupe) for over a year.

When did this love of singing begin?

"I always loved to sing. Even when I hung out with my friends, they always encouraged me, telling me I had talent and asking me to sing the songs they like. They didn’t even mind that we were in the middle of the street."

What led you to the troupe?

"Once, when I was with a friend, my mother called and said that there are auditions for some youth troupe at the Community Center. At first, I ruled it out because I was shy. I had never been on stage, but she persuaded me and I went there. I waited for all the other competitors to leave and only then did I get on stage and sing Ofra Haza’s Leorekh Hayam. As soon as I finished, they told me I’d been accepted."

Where will we find you in another five years?

I think that in the meantime, I’ll continue singing as a hobby, but who knows? Perhaps it will develop into directions that I haven’t even dreamed of."

Drama: Our Own Richard Gere

Paul Mamran is only 17½ and in the twelfth grade but Michal Yehuda, his drama instructor, is ready to swear that his success is assured.

"I started out in drama at the end of ninth grade, when they told me to pick five electives. I chose four that I really liked but I wasn’t familiar with the rest. I had to pick one more and my mother told me to choose drama. I was very embarrassed about that because I thought it was for girls. I didn’t really understand what it was all about."

Little by little, drama started to grow on Paul. Just half a year later, he began attending the community center drama club, one the projects funded by partnership 2000, run by Michal Yehuda, who has already performed countless times and received numerous favorable reviews. "I’ve been in many performances directed by her, including one opening soon that we’re working on right now."

Is there any actor whom you consider a role model?

"I really like Jim Carrey and Brad Pitt. I’m not too familiar with Israeli actors."

What are your plans for the future?

"I’d like to be accepted to an IDF performance troupe and then I’m almost certain I’ll go to drama school."

Tevet 5764 - January 2004