Vista Del Mar Throws Jazz Fest Fundraiser

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Tuesday, November 17, 2009

UCLA Jewish Studies Honors Founding Director

By Danielle Berrin

The UCLA Center for Jewish Studies recently honored founding director Arnold Band, professor emeritus of Hebrew and comparative literature, for his half-century of service to UCLA. Raymond P. Scheindlin, professor of medieval Hebrew literature at the Jewish Theological Seminary, delivered the annual lecture named for Band and sponsored by Sheila and Milton Hyman on Oct. 21.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Celebs Tee Off for Camp Kesem

By Danielle Berrin

The stars aligned for Camp Kesem’s “Fore” the Children Golf Tournament on Nov. 2, attracting the likes of Marcia Cross and Peter Gallagher to the MountainGate Country Club for the inaugural event.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Families of Fallen IDF Soldiers Honored

By Orit Arfa

Following a similar event organized last year in New York, the Western Region of the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces honored local families of fallen Israeli soldiers at a formal dinner held at the Olympic Collection on Oct. 29. The event was meant to extend recognition and support that bereaved families might often miss living outside of Israel.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Israeli ‘Poison’ Wraps Up Fashion Show

By Orit Arfa

When the Israeli electro-rock-pop band Terry Poison strutted onto the stage at the Hollywood Playhouse as the headliner act of the after-party for Israel’s debut at LA Fashion week on Oct. 14, most audience members — largely Israeli ex-pats — got up to dance, though some stayed behind to scratch their heads. The band wore metallic spandex bodysuits and wild makeup and played synth-based instruments to songs with English lyrics that sometimes sounded like an esoteric robotic language. It was a performance that could easily have been taken for an avant-garde art installation.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Disco Rabbi, Colin Powell Among Caring Institute Honorees

By Danielle Berrin

A diverse group of do-gooders, including former Secretary of State Colin Powell and Israel’s “disco rabbi,” Yitzhak Dovid Grossman, were among those honored on Oct. 13 by the Caring Institute, the Mother Teresa-inspired nonprofit, which promotes the values of caring, integrity and large-scale public service.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Joan Hyler Presented With Courage Award

By Danielle Berrin

During her first public appearance since her near-fatal accident last year, manager-producer Joan Hyler accepted the Courage Award at UCLA’s Visionary Ball on Oct. 1, surrounded by a cadre of her friends and clients. The event benefited the UCLA Dept. of Neurosurgery, whose doctors helped save Hyler’s life after she sustained multiple critical injuries and endured months of difficult rehabilitation.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

New Federation Chief Addresses Jewish Professionals

By Julie Gruenbaum Fax

Jay Sanderson, making his first public appearance as the incoming president of The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, addressed the Jewish Communal Professionals of Southern California (JCPSC) this week at a Bel Air sukkah party with a killer view of the Getty Center and beyond.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Swingin’ CD Release Soiree for Corky Hale

By Danielle Berrin

Corky Hale, a Jewish jazz musician, who turns out tunes on the piano and harp, celebrated the release of her new CD, “Corky Hale and Friends - I’m Glad There Is You,” during a swingin’ soiree held at Bel Air’s Vibrato on Sept. 21.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Survivor Honored in Agoura Hills

By Danielle Berrin

A special exhibit displaying memories from Lou Schotland’s life adorned the walls of Agoura Hills Senior Retreat last month when the 87-year-old retiree was honored as the assisted-living facility’s Citizen of the Month. Through photographs and letters, Schotland illustrated a life story that stretches from World War II-era Poland to Youngstown, Ohio.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Dentist Fetes Sharon Stone

By Danielle Berrin

Dentist to the stars Dr. Jay Grossman attended A Smile for Every Child, a Sept. 10 gala for his nonprofit Homeless Not Toothless. The local organization has brought together nearly three-dozen Los Angeles-area dental offices to provide free care to the homeless and underserved.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

ADL Dinner Doles Out Deborah, Jurisprudence Awards

By Danielle Berrin

The Anti-Defamation League feted a doctor, an L.A. city councilwoman and two lawyers during its Deborah and Jurisprudence Awards dinner at the new Montage Beverly Hills Hotel on Sept. 30.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Dems for Israel Fete Pols, Former Pres

By Danielle Berrin

Democrats for Israel (DFI) gathered at a private Beverlywood home on Sept. 13 for its annual Garden Party fundraiser.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Howie Mandel Heads to Chabad

By Danielle Berrin

Howie Mandel, host of “Deal or No Deal,” paid a visit to the Chabad Drug Treatment Center in Los Angeles, where director Kevin Bright, co-creator of “Friends,” filmed a documentary of his visit. The short segment, which includes Mandel putting on tefillin with Rabbi Chaim Cunin, will air during the upcoming 29th annual Chabad “To Life” Telethon. The telethon airs Sept. 13.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Carol Katzman Named Vista Del Mar Board Chair

By Danielle Berrin

Carol Katzman, an educator, has been inaugurated as board chair of Vista Del Mar, a social service agency for children and families in need. Katzman has devoted more than 40 years of service to Vista as a volunteer, board member and board officer.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Poles Honor Lauterbach

By Tom Tugend

Poland’s University of Wroclaw (formerly Breslau) honored Valley resident Alex Lauterbach on Aug. 13 for single-handedly collecting and sending more than 5,000 books to restore the city’s once-thriving Judaica library. Making the presentation was Polish Consul General Paulina Kapuscinska.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

‘Top Chef’ Fetes Top ADL Donors

By Danielle Berrin

Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Regional Board Chair Nicole Mutchnik and her husband Allan opened their home on Aug. 13 to the region’s top ADL donors in a gesture of gratitude for their philanthropic leadership. The evening featured a gourmet dinner by “Top Chef” contestant Brian Hill and special greetings from ADL Major Gifts Chair Steven Nichols and Regional Director Amanda Susskind. More than 35 of the region’s major donors attended.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Young Persian Jews Mix Partying and Politics at Summer Soiree

By Karmel Melamed

Nearly 400 young professionals joined the Iranian American Jewish organization 30 Years After at a private residence in Bel Air for its annual “Stars and Stripes” summer soiree on Aug. 15.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Decorated Vet Celebrates 85th Birthday at Jewish Home

By Danielle Berrin

Jewish Home for the Aging resident Al Silver celebrated his 85th birthday with 40 family members and friends on July 19.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Pattiz to Be Inducted Into Radio Hall of Fame

By Danielle Berrin

Norman Pattiz, founder and chairman of the radio network Westwood One will be inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame on Nov. 7 in Chicago.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

L.A. Family Donates Temple Model to Aish HaTorah in Jerusalem

By Danielle Berrin

The R. S. Zarnegin family, who came to Los Angeles from Iran, has donated a model of the ancient Jewish temple to Aish HaTorah’s world headquarters in Jerusalem. The model was first unveiled on Aug. 5 on the roof of Aish’s interactive museum, the Exploratorium, which overlooks the Western Wall.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Dine Out for the Cure, Jewish Vocational Service, Vista Del Mar

In what will likely become an annual tradition, Susan G. Komen for the Cure’s Los Angeles affiliate partnered with more than a dozen of the city’s most popular restaurants on July 15 for Dine Out for the Cure. The event raised money for the organization’s breast cancer treatment and awareness programs, with participating restaurants donating 10 percent of their gross profits to the group whether diners knew it or not.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

The Circuit: Audrey Irmas, JFS Dinner, Beastly Ball

by Rebecca Abeles

Philanthropist Audrey Irmas, longtime supporter of L.A. Family Housing, held her 80th birthday celebration at the Sydney M. Irmas Transitional Living Center in North Hollywood May 30. Named for her late husband, the center shelters families in the midst of moving out of homelessness as part of the L.A. Family Housing organization. Families currently residing in the Transitional Living Center enjoyed art activities, a catered luncheon and a moon bounce in Irmas’ honor.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Fishel, Others Honored by Invigorated Jewish Professionals Organization

By Julie Gruenbaum Fax

Jewish Communal Professionals of Southern California (JCPSC) held its largest annual dinner in years last month, when more than 250 people gathered to honor Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles President John Fishel and six other honorees.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Record Attendance at Israel Film Festival

By Danielle Berrin