MANDATE
The Ashkenaz Foundation is a community-based non-profit organization dedicated to fostering an increased awareness of Yiddish and Jewish culture through the arts. Through its biannual festival and an expanding slate of year-round programming, Ashkenaz showcases the work of leading contemporary artists from Canada and around the world working in music, film, theatre, dance, literature, craft, and visual arts. Ashkenaz places an equal emphasis on the need for preservation and innovation within this cultural milieu. Ashkenaz incorporates in its mandate and programming many other manifestations of Jewish music and art beyond Klezmer/Yiddish, and actively pursues fusion and cross-cultural exchange with artists from outside Jewish cultural traditions through commissioned work and special projects. Ashkenaz places a strong emphasis on local and emerging talent, as well as on education and community outreach. Ashkenaz forges partnerships with other entities and like-minded organizations in areas of overlapping interest or cause.

The 7th Ashkenaz Festival takes place August 26 to September 1, 2008, at Harbourfront Centre and various satellite locations throughout Toronto, Canada.

STAFF
Karen Tisch - Executive Director
Eric Stein – Artistic Director
Samantha Parnes – Administration and Development

BOARD MEMBERS
Ellen Wexler – President
Judy Wolfe – Past President
Steve Glassman – Treasurer
Susan Fremes – Secretary
Rosalie Sharp (founding chair)
Earl Gorman
Heather Hoffman
Libby Znaimer
Eda Zimmler-Schiff
Kalman Weiser
Svetlana Dvoretskaya
Andrea Bergman