Shel Thompson has been one of the bedrock members of Intercultural Journeys since its earliest days. Serving on the Board of Directors for 20 years, Shel held the official title of Board Treasurer for many years, but for IJ’s executive and administrative leadership, he’s held another, critical role: mentor and guide. Shel sat down to share some thoughts on IJ’s history with IJ’s executive director, Carly Rapaport-Stein.
“There are so many memories at IJ, and it's played such a big role in our lives. It's funny, because at first, I wasn't sure about joining, but Karen, my wife, really liked the music being played, and working with diversity in organizations had been a big part of my career. And here I am, 20 years later, and it's hard to imagine life without IJ.
“I have had so many memorable times with IJ: meeting people who come from all over the world; trips to Cuba and Israel; hearing instruments I'd never heard before; and learning something, every time I come to a performance.
“But one of the things I love most about IJ is the free flowing dialogue. It's how people begin to accept other people and hear different points of view. Hearing other viewpoints helps us not hold our own so strongly, and I think that's a way there can be greater peace. I've learned so much about so many cultures by being part of IJ, and I hope that over the next 20 years, we continue being a place of exploration and ideas.
“At our core, IJ plants seeds. We aren't necessarily going to always have programs that make a change right this minute, but you never know who's in your audience, what might impact them, and what they might go on to do. That's what makes us unique: we are a place where ideas are planted and blossom, and they're nurtured by the artists, by the audiences -- by everyone who joins in. There's a lot of love for each other, for our ideas and views, and for the stories that artists tell all woven into this special organization, and I know that we'll keep planting seeds for years to come.”
If you want to help plant seeds that blossom over the next 20 years, join IJ on May 10th to celebrate our 20 year history!