, s1
i
SUZANNE CHESSLER
Special to the Jewish News
ravels to Hollywood for a Jewish film premiere, New
York for a Jewish humor award ceremony and San Francisco
for a Jewish theater debut — all on behalf of the National
Foundation for Jewish Culture — have been filling Jim
August's calendar over the past few months.
That calendar is about to add even more activities beginning June 4
as August steps into the presidency of the NFJC, founded in 1960 by
the Council of Jewish Federations to work with artists, scholars, cul-
t tura( institutions and community agencies to strengthen Jewish identi-
ty through the arts and humanities.
August, a public relations and marketing executive active in many
M ich igan-based Jewish organizations, will lead the way for initiatives devot-
ed to preserving and promoting Jewish culture in America. As the senior
official, he will oversee both the professional staff and the lay leadership.
This office conies when I have the time and energy to give the
-
attention it deserves," says August, 65, executive management advis-
er to Simons Michaelson Liege and Co., an advertising and public
relations firm in Troy.
It's an opportunity to try to help lead, motivate and energize an
organization that does something I think is really important. What we
do offers a lot to the Jewish community and people who live .Iewishly
or seek to live Jewishly, and this gives me a chance to contribute in a
way that takes advantage of my skills."
The NFJC, governed by a board of directors from around the coun-
try, also receives support from individuals, foundations, corporations
and government agencies.
Funding for Jewish artists and scholars exploring Jewish subjects
helps with the development of documentary films, theater pieces and
contemporary music and dance as well as advanced studies at universi-
ties. Also important are regional and national institutes for cultural
presenters, coordination of museum activities and the development of
cultural services online.
CHAMPION on page 68