Alliance for Jewish TheatreTo our Membership:
First, it was wonderful to see so many new faces and of course familiar faces at our AJT Conference in St Louis, wonderfully hosted by Kathleen Sitzer of the New Jewish Theatre at their beautiful and welcoming JCC. For those who missed it, please know that you were certainly there in spirit. Principal thanks again to Kathleen and to David Chack, and Eli Taylor for helping make this such an uplifting event. As a member of the board I watched as they put a lot of hard work into making this an amazing conference!
Our membership, now at its highest level ever, is from all over North America as well as overseas. Take a look at our newly elected board (get to know us for heavens sake!) and explore our AJT community on our website http://www.afjt.com/. From there you will see an amazing geographic, age, ethnic, and artistic diversity. In short, we are now primed to take a big step forward as an organization. So just as many of us have deeply appreciated what David Chack as our outgoing president has done, I am happy to announce that he will serve as AJT’s Executive Director. The board is convinced that this gives us the best shot to thrive and grow as a unique nationally based Jewish cultural arts alliance and as a beacon for inspiring Jewish identity in the age of multicultural identities.
So, as your newly-installed Board President, I am also quick to acknowledge that there are many in this organization better versed in both theatre and Judaism. Though as a playwright/founding member of Working Title Playwrights and a lay leader at the Hebrew Benevolent Temple in Atlanta, I want you to know that I am deeply committed to serving the two main elements of AJT – Jewish plays and storytelling and Jewish continuity. In addition, I am a long-standing member of AJT (I’ve been to the last seven conferences and have met many of you) and I have knowledge in non-profit management, as a lawyer who served Georgia Lawyers for the Arts for 15 years. And most of all I have a shared passion and ability to work with others, to make this the best possible organization.
Please feel free to reach out to me in any form that best suits you. My email is hwkimmel@gmail.com Aside from promoting our stated mission of being a home to all makers of Jewish theatre (and what that entails), I hope to create a welcoming environment that will provide: ongoing opportunities for you to cultivate your art, explore the possibilities of Jewish theatre and storytelling, engage with other communities (including our own) and connect with the world in a way you couldn’t do on your own.
When you’re in Atlanta, give me a holler. Otherwise, don’t be surprised if I come to your community and give a holler to you.
Yours,
Hank Kimmel
Atlanta, GA
Mazel Tov Hank on your new position as AJT Board President. I know you will serve the organization with wisdom and strength!
Thanks for introducing me to the AJT, Mira. The organization has been a real gift to me personally, spiritually and professionally.