The Circuit: Holly Robinson Peete, ‘Law and Order’ producer, Hasbro

Actress Holly Robinson Peete and her husband, former NFL star Rodney Peete, were honored during the American Friends of Beit Issie Shapiro West Coast gala at Sephardic Temple Tifereth Israel on Nov. 3. Through their HollyRod Foundation, and as a result of their family’s personal experience, the Peetes have become leaders in the ongoing effort to better understand and find a solution for autism.

Honoree Holly Robinson Peete with special guest speaker from Israel, Moriah Shalev, the mother of a 4-year-old girl who made breakthroughs at Beit Issie Shapiro’s early intervention program. (Photo by Lee Salem)

Facing History and Ourselves honored teacher Leslie Gilbert-Lurie, author of the mother-daughter Holocaust memoir “Bending Toward the Sun,” during a benefit dinner in Beverly Hills on Oct. 28. Facing History and Ourselves engages students of diverse backgrounds in an examination of racism, prejudice and anti-Semitism, and Gilbert-Lurie was feted for her efforts helping young people take responsibility for their world and recognize that their choices matter.

From left: Facing History and Ourselves’ founder and executive director Margot Stern Strom, “Law & Order” producer Dick Wolf and Leslie Gilbert-Lurie. (Photo by Kevin Benjamin)

Women’s Guild Cedars-Sinai Medical Center honored longtime supporters Vera and Paul Guerin at A Touch of Country gala on Oct. 16 at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica. The gala was chaired by guild members Brenda Fritz and Caryl Golden, and featured a special musical performance by Wynonna Judd.

Honorees Paul and Vera Guerin with performer Wynonna Judd. (Photo by Vince Bucci)

From left: Arthritis Foundation Pacific Region CEO Manny Loya stands with Dr. Gary Firestein, a dean of translational medicine at the University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, who received the Jane Wyman Humanitarian Award during the Commitment to a Cure awards gala at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills on Nov. 1. Firestein’s research has improved the care of patients with arthritis, a disease that affects 50 million adults in the nation.

Executives from Hasbro, The Help Group and Hasbro Studios celebrated the Nov. 4 opening of The Help Group’s new Boundless Playground in Sherman Oaks, designed specifically for children with autism. From left: Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks); Help Group President & CEO Barbara Firestone; Hasbro Studios President Steve Davis; Karen Davis, Hasbro community relations vice president; and Gary H. Carmona, Help Group board chair. (Photo by August Young Photography)