AMERICAN ACADEMY IN JERUSALEM

Mishkenot Sha'ananim and the Foundation for Jewish Culture are collaborating on the creation of an institute at Mishkenot, modeled after the successful American Academies in Rome and Berlin. Groups of distinguished artists and scholars, leading experts in their fields, will be in residence at Mishkenot for two ot three month periods. THey will work on projets inspired by Jerusalem and connect with cultural and academic institutions, thereby enriching the city's cultural discourse. We expect they will return home with new connections and share their appreciation of the rich diversity and potential of this extraordinary city.

VISION

With a focus on creative individuals, we are currently building upon our current portfolio of programs that fund documentary filmmakers, writers, choreographers, playwrights and scholars to include composers, choreographers, poets and visual artists. The size and number of grants is increasing, along with new professional development and networking opportunities for grantees. A national distribution network of communities and agencies is being organized to bring the works of artists and scholars to institutions around the United States.

NEW DANCE FROM ISRAEL

In collaboration with the Consulate General of Israel in New York, the Foundation is planning New Dance from Israel, an initiative to bring eight contemporary dance companies from Israel to the United States for an unprecedented North American tour. Slated for the fall of 2009, the tour will be part of the hundredth anniversary celebration of Tel Aviv. Right now, Israel—and Tel Aviv, in particular—is experiencing an extraordinary dance boom, and a new generation of Israeli choreographers is garnering attention. Their work deserves to be showcased and shared in the United States as part of this historic celebration.

The artists being considered for the tour are from both established companies and those representative of the next generation choreographers, many of whom have never performed in the United States. The tour will travel to at least eight North American cities, including New York. New Dance from Israel will serve as a remarkable vehicle for engaging multiple generations and diverse populations in a new and different discussion about Israel, based on Israel’s cultural achievements.

The Foundation has leadership support from Anita Abramowitz (San Francisco), Judith Ginsburg (New York City), and Ruth Cummings Sorensen (Jerusalem), who comprise our New Dance from Israel Task Force.

Funders include The Nash Family Foundation, Anita Abramowitz, Diane Recanati, and George M. Zeltzer.

The Pearl Zeltzer Fund for Jewish Choreography, an award that supports original dance work that explores the Jewish experience, is helping support the New Dance from Israel initiative. These generous funds are provided by George M. Zeltzer, in memory of his wife, Pearl.