Our Story

Where Jewish Theatre Comes Together

Founded in 1979 with support from the National Foundation for Jewish Culture, the Association for Jewish Theatre (AJT) began as a hub for Jewish creativity, bringing together Jewish theatres, performers, playwrights, and scholars across North America. Early festivals and conferences inspired the growth of Jewish theatres in JCCs and independent venues, and helped launch the first International Jewish Theatre Festival in Tel Aviv in 1982.

Over the years, AJT has evolved from the Jewish Theatre Association to the Council of Jewish Theatres, and ultimately, to the Association for Jewish Theatre. Along the way, we've gathered in cities across the globe—from New York to Vienna—welcoming artists like Theodore Bikel, Wendy Wasserstein, Carl Reiner, Adam Kantor, and so many more.

Since 2011, AJT has operated as an independent nonprofit, supporting Jewish theatre-makers and organizations with an ongoing commitment to creative exploration, cultural expression, and community-building. Under current Executive Director Willow Jade Norton, we continue to be a vital space for connection and collaboration, with a growing international network and a thriving annual conference.

AJT’s signature initiatives, like the Theatremachers Fellowship for emerging Jewish artists, ensure the next generation of theatre-makers are mentored, supported, and celebrated.

As the beloved Theo Bikel once said, Jewish theatre is “the vessel for putting our meanings.” At AJT, we believe those meanings — stories, identities, and questions — matter more than ever. We honor the tradition of L’dor V’dor, building bridges between generations through performance, dialogue, and shared purpose.