Jordan Elgrably: photo: Irene Fertik, irenefertik.comJordan Elgrably cofounded Levantine Cultural Center during the summer of 2001 with several other Americans of Middle Eastern or North African heritage. A writer, editor, curator and producer, Jordan is of French and Moroccan origin. He has been passionately committed to strengthening Arab/Muslim and Jewish relations for many years. He founded the New Association of Sephardi/Mizrahi Artists & Writers Int'l. in 1996 and Open Tent Middle East Coalition in 1999. With other board members, he makes decisions regarding programming, community outreach and fund-raising. He serves as the organization's acting executive director. In 2008, the L.A. Weekly featured Jordan in its People of the Year issue. He received the Local Hero Award from the Foundation for World Arts and Cultures and the EarthWays Foundation in 2008.

Jordan attended the American University of Paris (formerly ACP) and was based for a number of years in Paris and Madrid, where he worked as a journalist and associate producer for TF1. His essays, articles and stories have appeared in many anthologies and periodicals. Visit his web site.