Lievnath Faber, 25, Local Co-Director
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Over 7 years I have been an active within the Dutch Jewish (student) organizations, because of my involvement in the board of Kaits - an Israeli youngster's organization. I was also in the board of the umbrella organization Jong Joods (young Jewish) for two years. Through this experience I got to know the situation of the Jewish Dutch cultural and social life from up close, and have a clear view of why it is failing in contributing to continuity of Jewish life in the Netherlands. At the moment I am in my final year of the research Master Film Studies, where I specialize in Israeli cinema. Together with Anja Waleson I initiated the Israeli Film Festival "Film IsReal" In April 2008, presenting the broad scope of recent Israeli cinema and opening the space for connection between people (Jews, Israelis and Dutch), conversation and reflection through living culture. The festival is an annual event.

Anja Waleson, 26, Local Co-Director
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My passion for film, photography, arts and culture finds its way in the different projects I am involved in.
I was born and raised in Amsterdam, studied Media & Culture (specialization cinema) at the University of Amsterdam, then lived and worked in South East Asia as an Art and English teacher and as a photographer. This year I initiated and organized the annual "Film IsReal" together with Lievnath Faber and an enthusiastic group of creative people. I also teach a variety of cultural educational programs. I am excited about reinvigorating the (non)Jewish community with the Amsterdam Salon as a local co-director for the Netherlands.

Daphna Plaschkes, 34   

I was born in Haifa but spent most of my life in The Netherlands being actively involved in the Jewish community in Amsterdam in the field of arts and education. Starting off my working life as an international lawyer I made a rigorous career change after a few years and graduated from the School of Dramatic Arts in Maastricht. I am currently working as a director for theatre and creator of art-education programs for high schools in the province of South Holland. Although loving the theatre my heart goes out to film and broadcasting. In 2008 I received a MA degree in Film and Television Studies from the University of Utrecht. At the moment I’m also involved in the program board of the Dutch Jewish Broadcaster and am part of the Film IsReal dream-team that organizes the Israeli Film Festival in Amsterdam.

Gideon Querido van Frank

Born in Tel Aviv in the sweet seventies, Gideon Querido van Frank graduated from the University of Utrecht and of Amsterdam in Cultural Studies and Literary Theory and followed MA/ PhD classes at New York University in Performance Theory. In New York he worked for The New York Annual Gay and Lesbian Film Festival and for BBC World. Back in Amsterdam Gideon worked as a freelance journalist for several magazines and writes mainly about film, politics and culture. Gideon is head of the press and publicity department of Cinemien ( www.cinemien.nl), a film distribution company of Indie movies. Gideon has organized two Queer Shabbatonim (weekends for LGBTQ Jews) in Amsterdam and one in New York in 2007 and recently is involved with Film IsReal - The Israeli Film Festival in Amsterdam.