If you’re anything like us, you did a little happy dance when our handy-dandy JAAMM brochure landed in your mailbox.

And if you didn’t receive yours, no worries! Click here to check out a digital copy.

This year, we have 26 stellar events making up our 2018 JAAMM lineup. You might think you know what to expect, and you may know a thing or two about our speakers and performers. But did you know…?

1. Sally Kohn, the author of our Denver Jewish Community Read (“The Opposite of Hate”) is a CNN political commentator. But…

From 2010 – 2013, Ms. Kohn worked for Fox News. Currently, she is an active CNN political commentator, activist, and author (as of now, she’s traveling across the country to speak about her book––aren’t we lucky to be one of her stops?). If you want to hear more about her active career, check out her fantastic podcast, State of Resistance.

2. Daniel Kahn, from the band Daniel Kahn & The Painted Bird, starred in a Yiddish production of Fiddler on the Roof.

Check out this fantastic article on his performance as Perchik. He was one of only three actors who already knew Yiddish.

3. Jonathan Weisman, the author of “(((Semitism),” writes for the New York Times.

Today, his responsibilities include domestic policy under President Trump and providing coverage of economic policies, health care, the environment, education, and social welfare. Phew! That’s all in a day’s work for Mr. Weisman.

JAAMM 2018

4. Jewmongous star, Sean Altman, wrote the soundtrack to “Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?”

You read that right! The hit 1990s television show’s soundtrack was written by the hilarious Sean Altman. Maybe he’ll talk about that during his performance on October 18?

5.  Bryan Fogel won the Academy Award for “Best Documentary Feature” at the 2018 Oscars.

And he’s from Denver! Mr. Fogel won for “Icarus,” a stellar film that seeks to uncover the truth about doping in professional sports (specifically cycling). Be sure to check out the screening of the film at the Sie FilmCenter on October 20, as well as Bryan Fogel’s Opening Night lecture on October 4.

6. Michelle Azar starred in the award winning show, “How to Get Away with Murder” opposite Viola Davis.

Along with being a fantastic actress, Michelle is also a singer, a writer, a certified yoga instructor, and a cantorial soloist. Talk about a Renaissance woman! (Also, we’d love to hear her stories about working alongside Viola…)

7. Mike Reiss, the author of “Springfield Confidential: Jokes, Secrets, and Outright Lies from a Lifetime Writing for The Simpsons,” attended Harvard and wrote for The Harvard Lampoon.

Known as a funny man all his life, Mike roomed with future The Simpsons collaborator, Al Jean during his time at Harvard College.

JAAMM 2018

8. Itzhak Perlman, the focus of the film Itzhak, wanted to be a violinist after hearing a concert performed on the radio when he was three years old.

His father was a barber, and bought young Itzhak his first violin from a second-hand shop for six dollars. What a life-changing gift!

9. Rick Recht is the Artist in Residence at United Hebrew Congregation in St. Louis, MO.

Born and raised in St. Louis, Rick graduated from USC and the Music Institute in Los Angeles, CA. Regardless of his travels, Rick Recht is quick to call “the stage” his home.

10. Wonderbound (who will be performing Wonderlab at JAAMM) take part in a program called “THREAD,” which provides immersive dance workshops for those who suffer from Alzheimer’s.

These sessions engage seniors and their caregivers as they learn ballet and contemporary dance. THREAD fosters cross-generational relationships with the dancers and erases the boundaries that a mental disability can often create.


We can’t wait to see all of these wonderful acts and events at our 2018 Neustadt JAAMM Festival.

Be sure to buy your tickets for our JAAMM events today!