Bringing to Life, Through the Arts, the Victims of the Holocaust

By Eileen Wingard
Eileen Wingard

SAN DIEGO — We Are the Tree of Life (WATTOL) founder and director, Jackie Gmach, is adept at recognizing talent and recruiting them to participate in her initiative. In Israeli-born dancer and circus performer, Tammuz Dubnov, Gmach struck gold. Dubnov is not only young, handsome and talented, but he is committed to WATTOL’s mission, bringing to life, through the arts, the victims of the Holocaust.

In his program “Exploring the Holocaust Through Dance” this Thursday evening, 7 p.m. in the Garfield Theatre of the Lawrence Family JCC, the innovative dancer and choreographer will present several pieces, including one based on the story of a ballerina who sacrificed herself to take the life of her Nazi oppressor and another based on the famous French-Jewish mime, Marcel Marceau. There will also be audience interaction.

Dubnov has not only had a long career as a dancer and circus performer, but he has had great success as an entrepreneur, the founder and CEO of Zuzor, a technology company that creates senso-driven environments.

After graduating with honors from UC Berkeley at age 18, with a major in pure mathematics and minors in computer science and dance, he founded his start-up company. In 2018, his was one of three top start-ups from California to participate in the Guangzhou International Innovation Festival sponsored by the Chinese government. The next year, Dubnov was named one of the “Five Top Tech Pioneers Revolutionizing Nightlife,” by The Red Bulletin Magazine.

Additionally, System Contractor News and AVNetwork named Dubnov one of “The Nine of 2020 Illuminating the Way for the Pro Audio Visual Industry,” and Industry Eras Magazine named Dubnov one of the “10 Best CEOs of 2021.”

In the interim, Dubnov received his MA degree from UCSD in Artificial Intelligence.

“I constantly challenge the barrier between technology and physicality to enhance experiences,” commented Dubnov.

In Thursday’s program, we will witness how this brilliant innovator uses his creativity in the service of We Are the Tree of Life.

This program is part of the Center for Jewish Culture’s Arts & Ideas series, under the direction of Ryan Isaac. Tickets are $25. Call: 858-362-1330 or visit https://www.lfjcc.org/about/upcoming_events.aspx
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Eileen Wingard is a freelance writer specializing in coverage of the arts.  She may be contacted via eileen.wingard@sdjewishworld.com