A Message from the President of the American Jewish Committee
Congratulations to us!! Together we celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Seattle Jewish Film Festival (SJFF) – the American Jewish Committee’s gift to Seattle.
From its beginning ten years ago in a 100-seat theatre, SJFF has grown to be one of the top Jewish film festivals in the country and the largest Jewish event in the Northwest. The medium of film is an ideal vehicle to further the goals of the AJC; to nurture pluralism, build bridges among racial, religious and ethnic groups and enrich the quality of American Jewish life. We hope you will learn from, be stimulated by and thoroughly enjoy the films representing more than ten countries.
This year we will again open at the Cinerama. Then we move to the Broadway Performance Hall. Here will be housed the Deborah Rosen/Nancy Vineberg 10th Anniversary Center to honor the achievements of its founder and initial festival director. Take time to explore the history, memorabilia, and films from the past ten years. Our grand finale will be at the magnificent Fifth Avenue Theatre. Its elegance will be a perfect setting in which to end our exciting week.
To further celebrate this monumental year and the achievements it represents, we have added programs and expanded our outreach. Our free-for-seniors matinee will take place at the SJCC on Mercer Island and the Summit House and the Kline Galland in Seattle. Lunch will be served at the SJCC and groups will be bussed in from several assisted living facilities.
FilmTALKS! is another program that was conceived and developed eight years ago and today is being modeled across the country. On March 14th and again in April more than 600 students will take part in this day-long diversity training workshop using film to promote dialogue. Here students from many ethnic and socio-economic groups sit together discussing diversity and tolerance in a safe environment where they feel comfortable expressing their opinions.
Although our Seattle chapter’s obvious focus this week is the festival, we have other outstanding programs and speakers throughout the year. The AJC is a great presence nationally and internationally. It works to effect change in various human rights causes and it provides a strong voice in support of Israel.
A big part of the festival planning this year was facilitated with the help of the co-chairs who worked far beyond their job descriptions: Moshe Dunie, Karen Hudesman, Pip Meyerson and Janet Rosenblatt.
A huge thank you to the SJFF and AJC staff who have worked tirelessly to bring this 10th Anniversary festival and celebration to you: Julie Hammer Mahdavi, Pamela Lavitt, Leslie Fried, Rabbi Anson Laytner and Melissa Beehner.
Lastly, we want to thank you - our audience, volunteers and supporters. We hope you will peruse the program throughout this week, note our community donors and show them your thanks by supporting their places of business.
Once again, we lower the lights. There is something for everyone. Films and festivities! Feast and enjoy as we celebrate our tenth anniversary!
Leslie Rosen
AJC President10th Annual Seattle Jewish Film Festival Staff & Committee
Film Festival Co-Chairs
Moshe Dunie
Karen Hudesman
Pip Meyerson
Janet Rosenblatt
Film Festival Committee
Bryan Cohen
Toby Donner
Michelle Hahn
Julian Judelman
Laurie Koehler
Rosanne Lapan
Michael Levin
Rabbi James Mirel
Ron Ralph
David Rosen
Marian Schwartz
Roslyn Solomon
Jon Staenberg
Dennis Warshal
AJC Staff
Executive Director
Rabbi Anson Laytner
Film Festival Director
Julie Hammer Mahdavi
Film Festival Curator
Pamela Lavitt
FILMTalks! Coordinator
Leslie Fried
Administrative Assistant
Melissa Beehner
Allison Veishlow
Operations Manager/Web Master
Robert Mahdavi
Volunteer Coordinator
Salome Mahdavi
Design
Daniel Fried
Cole Sones
Jerome Woody
Ad Sales
Debra Winters