MEET OUR STAFF
Eric Stern
Director of Programming and Cultural Arts Ambassador
Eric Stern (he/him) is a performer, producer, and arts advocate. As a performer, he’s appeared on NPR and has performed at the Kennedy Center, throughout the Northwest, and internationally from Portland to Paris to Poland. Best known as the founder and leader of Vagabond Opera, Stern has returned in recent years to his Jewish roots, studying and playing Oud (a kind of lute that is played throughout the Mizrachi, and Sephardic world). Along with Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb he founded the Jewish Theater Project in New Mexico, Vagabond Opera in Portland and Hungry Opera Machine, a modern-opera company. He has produced productions from intimate cafe events to full-scale theatrical performances and loves working with the EJC community to make the Commons a hub that nurtures and showcases Jewish culture in all of its facets. Eric loves to hike with his son Jascha, and his wife, Jill. He is a beginning birder and enjoys kayaking with friends at Smith and Bybee lakes. He is the representative for the lakes for Portland's Metro Advisory Committee. Oddly, he also enjoys creating budgets.
Cary Clarke
Executive Director
Mervin Kurnaiawan
Events Support: A/V Specialist
Mervin (he/him) is an Indonesian-born, first-generation immigrant to the United States, having moved to the Portland area when he was four. He is a graduate from Oregon State University with a degree in Economics. He was also a radio DJ and Internet content engineer at the campus radio and television station, KBVR. This is where he began his interest in audio and visual equipment. Beyond his technical experience, Mervin also has a passionate interest in spiritual practice and the mystic traditions of the world religions. He enjoys the works of teachers such as Abraham Joshua Heschel, Thich Nhat Hanh, and Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. He also enjoys spending time baking, engaging in social activism, and having restful moments with his wife and cat.
Event Staff
Jules Barrera, Alana Cogen, Tave Fasce