5 Questions featuring international human rights activist, playwright, and former EV resident By Gabbi Lewin Jenni Wolfson is a woman

of strength and many talents with a passion for human rights running through her veins. Scottish born, she was once a resident of the East Village, living on 1st St. between 1st and 2nd Ave as well as 13th St. between 2nd and 3rd Ave. Her monologue RASH: What if your dream job could kill you?, was selected by the All for One Theater Festival (http://www.afofest.org/festival/2011), soon to be performed in the EV. This play tells a profound, humorous, and hopeful tale. After answering yes to her dream job as a UN diplomat for 12 years, 3 of which were in post-genocide Rwanda, Wolfsons life would never be the same.

Q: Why did you decide to go into human rights? A: I am partly wired that way, and the other part was my environment.
Growing up I experienced a lot of anti-Semitism in Scotland. The Scottish Jews were .1% of the entire population. Shocking images of the Holocaust and the direct experience of being discriminated against influenced me. I even went undercover in Russia to help Soviet Jews escape. It was becoming clearer and clearer I would not work for the Royal Bank of Scotland.

Q: Why Rwanda? A:
Rwanda was the genocide of my generation. I felt compelled to go there. I was a 20-something-year-old white chick going to a country under the umbrella of the UN, even though they never helped try and stop the genocide it was ambitious. I investigated cases of killings, rape and torture. I had an opportunity to access every prison and detention camp. Over time I was able to build very important relationships with the military and other government officials, which was the key to my success. Plus, Im an adrenaline seeker.

Q: Did you make a difference? A: Margaret Mead once said, Never doubt that a small group of
thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. Although it was hard to measure change on a daily basis, since in Human Rights terms, change happens over months and even decades, I dont think I wouldve done it if I didnt

feel that I wasnt making a difference. Sometimes we measure the change in small increments.

Q: What do you want your play to accomplish? A: I would like to give people insight to make an unfamiliar world
familiar. Id like people to step out of their comfort zone. Every job Ive ever applied for seems terrifying, but I still went for it. I think the play opens peoples eyes to a world they rarely see and its truly shocking, but it is digestible because I tell it through my own very personal story. Its also got funny moments too, because even in the midst of tragedy, some things do appear absurd.

Q: How did you realize your story should be made into a play? A: It kind of happened by accident as I took a writing class to be able
to do something creative and different from my day-to-day life. It took on a life of its own. Although the experience I describe in Rwanda is so different from most peoples lives, everyone can relate to the themes of family, love, identity, and conflict. Going on stage is an amazing and terrifying experience for me. As well as performing at festivals, theatres and conferences, Ive also performed at universities and schoolsI like that audience a lot because they are very open and still considering what to do with their lives. To purchase tickets for, RASH, written and performed by Jenni Woflson, Visit the All for One Theater Festival website (http://www.afofest.org/festival/2011/program/rash) Performances are on November 13 6:00 pm and November 20 7:00 pm at the St. Marks Theater (80 St. Marks Place http://www.afofest.org/festival/2011/venue).