Seattle
Seattle (206) 622-6315 Seattle@ajc.org
Rabbi Anson Laytner, Executive Director
Leslie Rosen, Chapter President
Who We Are
The Seattle Chapter, founded in 1945, is a venue for interested Jews to reach out to individuals and groups in the larger community, and to build bridges of understanding and cooperation with them on a wide range of social, religious, and political issues. Through its active board, vibrant membership, diverse programming and extensive community visibility, AJC is making a difference in the Seattle community.
Featured Chapter Programs
Seattle Jewish Film Festival
For 10 years, the Seattle chapter of the AJC has presented THE SEATTLE JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL as its signature annual program. Based on the belief that the medium of film, coupled with discussions and other programming, is an excellent means to explore the human relations mission of the AJC, this week-long festival has grown to be the third largest Jewish film festival in the country and the largest annual Jewish community event in the Pacific Northwest. Please check out our website for more information on the upcoming SJFF.
FILMTalks!
FILMTalks! is a groundbreaking program whose goal is to foster respect and understanding among high school students from various backgrounds, races, cultures and religions, using the medium of popular film to promote dialogue and action on the crucial issues of respecting diversity and reducing prejudice. Each year, more than 150 select students from over 20 public and private high schools attend this free daylong workshop.
Block Student Human Relations Awards
Each year since 1959, the AJC has presented the Max H. Block Student Human Relations Awards to high school seniors in recognition of their contributions to strengthening intergroup relations and promoting understanding across racial, ethnic and social divides. This award celebrates qualities too seldom publicly recognized, particularly in high school: compassion, sincerity and respect for the humanity of others regardless of race, ethnicity or national origin.
The Year in Review
The past year was one of major staff transitions - 100% to be exact, as a whole new team was hired. Rabbi Anson Laytner is the new executive director, Julie Mahdavi is the new film festival director, and Andrea Walker is the new administrative director.
Even with these changes, the chapter did its best to carry on, and it did so wonderfully!
The Seattle Jewish Film Festival celebrated its 10th anniversary in fine style, with magnificent films and terrific events. Among the highlights: the Opening Night Reception at The Palace Ballroom and Closing Night at the Fifth Avenue Theatre; the showing of a movie on Sugihara, which drew the attendance of the Japanese Consul; the live "gospel" performance by Joshua Nelson following his movie; and the film "Watermarks" with some of the actual swimmers present.
Our luncheon lecture series featured UW Prof. Joel Migdal on the Mideast conflicts, AJC Belfer Center's Ann Schaffer on intergroup relations and the domestic agenda, Prof. Albert Yee on the Chinese and the Jews, writer Roya Hakkakian on growing up Jewish in Khomeini's Iran, Steven Pomerantz on the war on terror, and Rabbi Picard, Imam Manasra and Farther Khoury, three clergy from Israel, on interfaith cooperation in the Holy Land.
We also hosted an evening with the consular corps, at which Steven Pomerantz spoke; we brought several hundred students together for another "FilmTalks!" program; the annual Max H. Block Student Human Relations Awards drew its usual enthusiastic crowd; and the Seattle Center's Virginia Anderson was recognized at our Human Relations Award dinner.
In addition, although AJC does not make headlines because that is not our style, we took the lead to reach out to Presbyterian leaders on the issue of divestment and Israel; and also to meet with United Church of Christ, Lutheran and Methodist leaders too.
Lastly, thanks to work by Robert Mahdavi, our website was brought up to date and totally reinvigorated; the SJFF is being integrated with AJC staff and programs; the office systems are being overhauled and consolidated; and the Board and staff have begun a strategic planning process to reform and revitalize the chapter's structure and programs.
|
