Salonites An advertising consultant free-lancer; previously worked for Israeli TBWA Global Advertising office as chief customer manager. "My father was a historian of Jewish communities and due to that we lived in several European cities as I grew up. The Salons idea sparked in me an enthusiasm that answers a strong personal need, to continue my father's path in may own way".
Throughout my work with Jewish communities in Europe and with Jewish youth in Israel , I was exposed to the challenges facing young Jews today. As A secular Israeli Jew, these experiences renewed my link to Judaism, in its wide context and meanings, leaving me with a strong feeling of obligation for connection and continuation of the Jewish story. The Jewish Salons project met my understanding of the need to maintain and widen a Jewish cultural language as a possible link for young Jews around the world.  Yasha Rozov, 38, designer & visual artist, exhibited in NYC, the Czech Republic and Israel. My interest lies where art and society meet. I am constantly concerened with the interplay of my identity and how that may feed on producing art and culture and it's relationship to Judaism. I believe art can impact the discourse on Jewish identity in our times in a constructive, thought provoking way.  Itay Mautner, 34, local TV host, cultural addict, creative planner. For many years now I have been wandering around the massive and fascinating art and culture scenes in Israel. Over the years I have transformed my love of these themes into various fields of communication. At my peak I hosted a culture show on Israel 's main TV channel, edited an art and culture magazine, had a radio show and wrote various columns in the daily newspapers. The Jewish Salons is a direct continuation – bringing out the best of Judaism by means of dialogues and artistic methods.  Boyana Grubeshich, 27, student in Hebrew Culture & Multidisciplinary program in the Arts at Tel Aviv University. Having been born in the former Yugoslavia and raised in Israel , I feel that my transcontinental travels, work with Jewish communities and interaction with a variety of people are helping me to 'bridge' the gap between my Judaism, Israel & modern urban life. I feel like I am renewing my own Jewish story and making it much stronger. The Jewish Salons project is a means to realize dialogue between young Jews all over the globe, sharing common concerns and interests.  Roni Aboulafia, 37, director of documentary films and journalist. Roni wrote and directed a variety of TV Documentary series', news magazine shows and entertainment programs. Her credits include the PBS documentary series “Life 360” in New York as well as stories for the NBC News magazine show Dateline. Her projects were featured at the 2004 Jerusalem Film Festival and at the Sundance Film Festival 2005 among numerous film festivals worldwide.  Efrat Turgeman Works for international film festivals in Israel as coordinator and programmer, and is in charge of liaison with foreign film makers and companies. Also works as production manager for TV and Radio programs. Efrat is a graduate of the Multidisciplinary Program of the Arts, Tel Aviv University.  Keren Keiles,34, Graduate of law, art history and conceptual design in the public space. Works as a content and creative director of interactive marketing centers. She joins this project as part of a continuous voyage for her simple essence, this time through Jewish values.  Peter Faludi, 25, Hungarian group leader Has worked along the years as an actor and a logistical assistant for software companies. Today, aside being program coordinator in the Balint Jewish Community Centre, he is involved in video, sound and music production life in Budapest. "I feel commitment to open dialogues between cultures and supporting grass-root initiatives to empower social, cultural, educational activities. "For me, The Jewish Salons are about creating opportunities for artists to mediate their vision in Jewish and non-Jewish frames".  Esther Turan, 32, Producer Besides the ping-pong that she is doing with her life between Israel and Hungary she deals with TV commercials mostly within her own production company, Moviebar. Esther began to co-produce a feature film just recently. Involved in the underground and mainstream cultural happenings in Budapest. " I'm a true idealist and I believe that this Salon can change things. Instead of Klezmer and gefilte fish something refreshing finally”.  Borgula Andras, 31, theatre art director. One day I will be a director. I always wanted to be. I worked hard in the last 30 years to became one. In the meantime i learned in the Thalia Studio, in the IDF (I am a proud officer), and in the Tel Aviv University, Theatre Department. Nowadays I am the Artistic Director of the GOLEM Budapest Jewish Theatre. The best group in town!
 Dancha Zemen Dancha, 29. graduate of the Jewish University in Budapest, worked as a volunteer in Habonim Dror youth movement for many years. "Judaism, Zionism and Israel are three things I feel really comitted to". Has lived in israel for 3 years, and misses israeli food a lot! Now in Budapest she works as a tourist guide, and is the proud owner of two beautiful dogs..
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Why are we doing this? As Israelis we live a Jewish life that is more cultural than religious and we feel this reality is common to many Jews of our age in other parts of the world. Beyond our universal communalities, we share histories, memories and consciousness, which are culturally particular. As Israeli Jews we are interested in interacting with young Jews from other communities, to create a rich cultural dialogue that can be attractive and accessible for young Jews and non-Jews throughout the world. We believe that realizing this through the Salons network could be fun and emotionally rewarding.
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Our Vision
The Jewish story contains an ocean of meaningful elements that may interest many, if only they were exposed in an engaging fashion. We as young Israeli Jews wish to create these spaces together with young people from other Jewish communities and share cultural content. The Jewish Salons are intended to become a world network of non-institutional venues in urban Jewish communities, which will serve as our generation's spaces for celebrating Jewish culture and tradition. The Salons will be located in cities around the world, in central locations and be aesthetically and intellectually engaging. The project will take shape in every community according to the local orientation, and be a part in an international network of Salons , exchanging cultural stories of Jewish life in different communities on the globe. Our conviction is that taking an interest in one's cultural heritage is a natural human trait. We hope that by providing an inclusive stage for the Jewish cultural experience, the Salons will contribute to the cross-cultural dialogue of both Jews and non-Jews and add to the shared cultural development.
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