Winners of the Israel Film Festival, Jewish Federation State Capital Tour and Beit T’Shuvah Inauguration Ceremony
The 35th Israeli Film Festival (IFF) hosted its Sponsors Luncheon at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills on April 29.
Afternoon rally honored real estate investor, philanthropist and Holocaust survivor David Wiener with the IFF Humanitarian and Actor Award Henry Winkler with the IFF Career Achievement Award.
Winkler, known for his role as Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli on the legendary television series “Happy Days” and more recently for his Emmy-winning stint on HBO’s “Barry,” was touched by the recognition. Receiving his award in front of a crowd of family members, community leaders and others, he said, “I am a proud Jew!
The 76-year-old artist also opened up about his recent time in Israel working on a new TV show, having nothing but kind words to say about the Jewish state.
Among those present were the founder and director of the IFF Meir Fenigstein, who said he was delighted to bring the festival back after a nearly two-year hiatus caused by the pandemic. The other participants were the Consul General of Israel in Los Angeles Hillel Newman; actor Elon Gold, who runs the program; and actors Don most and Anson Williamswho both starred with Winkler on “Happy Days.”
Delivering the funny, Gold joked about people in the banquet hall spreading both love for Israel and the latest variant of COVID-19.
Singer Sharon Farber also turned out. During a rousing musical performance, Fenigstein, a musician in a past life, accompanied Farber on stage while playing a percussion instrument.
Actor Mark Feuerstein and philanthropist-activist Daphna Zimanrespectively, presented their awards to Winkler and Wiener.
The lunch came days before the official kickoff of the Israel Film Festival, the biggest showcase of Israeli entertainment in the United States, opens May 5 at the Saban Theater in Beverly Hills and runs through May 26. . During the three-week hybrid festival, Israeli feature films, documentaries and TV series will be shown in various Los Angeles theaters as well as online. For more information, visit israelfilmfestival.com.
On April 27, 19 members of the Real Estate and Construction Division (REC) and Directors of Real Estate (RPO) from the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles traveled to Sacramento to advocate on critical issues faced by the Jewish community.
The group has focused its advocacy on the Nonprofit Security Grants Program, which provides critical assistance to nonprofit organizations at risk of hate-motivated violence to improve physical security infrastructure as well as funding to support the reconstruction of camps and community centers destroyed by numerous wildfires in California. These camps not only serve the Jewish community, but many other diverse communities across the state.
According to the LA Federation, participants remembered that this advocacy trip took place on both the third anniversary of the tragic 2019 Chabad shootings in Poway as well as the eve of Yom Hashoah – these historical markers highlighting the importance of the legislative request. While in Sacramento, Jewish Federation leaders met with key lawmakers and policymakers, including the chairman of the California Jewish Legislative Caucus and a member of the state assembly. jesse gabriel (D-Encino), and hoped the advocacy would translate into dollars for Jewish communities in California and Los Angeles.
On April 24, Beit T’Shuvah (BTS) drug treatment center held a grand opening ceremony for its new thrift store.
The BTS Thrift store, officially located in Culver City, is now located on the corner of La Cienega and Pico and serves as a resource for the community. The ceremony was attended by members of the Beit T’Shuvah community as well as City of Los Angeles Constituent Services Assistant Mayra Guevara, who led the inauguration of the event.
The thrift store has always been a community favorite shopping experience with items ranging from furniture, art, clothing and more while supporting the critical work of Beit T’Shuvah. Beit T’Shuvah’s mission is to save the lives of those struggling with addiction by providing integrated care in a community setting, regardless of financial ability.
