November 23, 2009 | 3:54 pm

Hollywood Matriarchs and Me

Posted by  Joan Hyler

So Oprah is leaving her show in 2011 - the airwaves are abuzz with this news - who’s next?

These are the Days of the Matriarchs in our Torah - more than the men who met their ‘twilight’ years (i.e. Abraham) with a Third Act that was slightly less fraught than the other two acts of their lives - our Patriarchs faced less of the Grim Reality than their wives (i.e. Sara, Rachel).

Thinking of Hollywood Matriarchs - I am impressed by many who semi retire like Sherry Lansing, after a full career as a producer and studio head - and use their money and power in philanthropic pursuits.  Laura Ziskin (still actively producing the “Spiderman” series) is using her power and money to fight cancer.  Both Jewish girls, these powerful women are worthy of our Torah female prototypes: they live in the world and use their accomplishments for the greater good.

Jewishly active CBS Entertainment Prez. Nina Tassler has just become the new head of the LA Federation’s Entertainment Committee.  Nina went to Israel this past summer to teach with the Federation - Tel Aviv U partnership along with former Fox head Gail Berman - two more modern Matriarchs.

Well known locally, these Jewish women don’t have Oprah’s profound wealth or fame - yet they are all worthy Matriarchs.

November 16, 2009 | 3:02 pm

Acts of Charity and Kindness

Posted by  Joan Hyler

One year ago, when I came to consciousness in the hospital after a car accident, I was surrounded by family, clients, Hollywood friends and the Hollywood Jewish community who had maintained a presence at my side davening, learning and praying for me - one year later I have survived, am at home, working full time and continuing to learn with Torah buddies and my rabbis, Olivia, Schlomo and Mendel Schwartz of the Chai Center located in Mar Vista.  The Schwartzes have just suffered the death of a grand child in Jerusalem, three year old Shula who was killed in a freaky car accident.

When I awoke a year ago it was on my birthday and I was given a party by loved ones accompanied by gifts, cards, hugs, crying, laughter and I truly felt the love and still do.

Next week the Schwartzes are having a memorial for their granddaughter called Shloshim.  In honor of my birthday this year, I would like to request those who can to please give a check to the Chai Center in Shula’s name.  If you are unable to send a check to the Chai Center please study Torah in her name, or make a commitment to do acts of kindness and friendship in her name - and wish me a happy birthday and long life as you do. 

Shavuah Tov.

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November 11, 2009 | 3:28 pm

Jewish Women in Hollywood and Me

Posted by  Joan Hyler

Women in Film and specifically Jewish Women in Film and TV has long been my passion - so much so, that Hadassah founded the Morningstar Commission an advocacy and policy group, a group of influencers in the entertainment industry that we started over ten years ago.  I was the first Commission Chairwoman, now it is ABC eminence Olivia Cohen-Cutler who has had a profound effect on many high level ABC series such as “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Brothers and Sisters.” 

We have often given Awards to high level nationally known women such as writer Wendy Wasserstein and HBO’s Sheila Nevins.  We have been joined on the Board by a cross section of notable industry insiders like attorney Patti Felker, actress/writer Laraine Newman, producer/writer Linda Shayne, writer/director Lynn Roth, and Manager and activist Susan Zachary among others.

It is notable too, that CBS Head Nina Tassler has just been named head of the Jewish Federation’s Entertainment Division.  Nina recently was in Israel along with former Fox Head and current Indie Film and TV producer Gail Berman where they taught in a program that is a joint project of the LA Jewish Federation and Tel Aviv. Long term head of Sony Pictures Amy Pascal has also been active on Jewish issues and Women’s issues and we hope they will all join us as we at Morningstar set our agenda for 2010.

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November 6, 2009 | 7:43 pm

‘The Little Traitor’ and Me

Posted by  Joan Hyler

“The Little Traitor,” a feature film starring client Alfred Molina, has just opened in L.A. It is based on the Amos Oz novel “The Panther in the Basement,” which has long been a favorite of mine and Fred Molina. So much so, that we tried to buy it a few years ago when we had a deal as producers at Sony Pictures.

To our chagrin, the movie rights had already been optioned by Monte and Marilyn Hall whom had engaged screenwriter/director Lynn Roth to co-produce, write and direct. As luck, or “Divine Providence” would have it, Lynn is a friend of mine and fellow Board Member of the Morningstar Commission and was running a program for the Jewish Federation in Tel Aviv. Before you could say “Divine Providence,” Mr. Molina was in costume, shooting the movie in Israel and loving every second of his time in Israel accompanied by his wife actor/writer Jill Molina.

Go see this movie, and while you’re at it go see Mr. Molina in “An Education.” 

I am kvelling for him.

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