Moving and Shaking: Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem recently bestowed multiple honors on people with connections to the Los Angeles area. 

Patricia Glaser, a member of the university’s international board of governors, received an honorary doctorate on June 8 in Jerusalem. The Malibu resident also was honored for her contribution as a university benefactor in a separate ceremony the following day.

Glaser is a pre-eminent business trial attorney and the chair of the litigation department at Century City-based law firm Glaser Weil.

Daniel I. Schlessinger, president of American Friends of The Hebrew University (AFHU), said in a press release that Glaser’s “generosity and sense of Jewish communal spirit are immense.”

Additionally, Israel advocate and donor Mark Vidergauz received an honorary fellowship from the university on June 9 during the school’s international board of governor’s meeting in Jerusalem. Vidergauz is the founder and CEO of the Los Angeles-based investment bank Sage Group and a member of the Hebrew University international board of governors. 

An AFHU press release indicated that Vidergauz’s “tireless support for Israel” earned him the spotlight.

Haim and Cheryl Saban and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev President Rivka Carmi. Photo by Dani Machlis

Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) presented Holocaust historian Saul Friedlander with an honorary doctoral degree during the 44th annual board of governors meeting in Beer-Sheva, Israel, last month.

During the May 20 ceremony, BGU president Rivka Carmi said Friedlander is “one of the foremost researchers of the history of the Holocaust for his notable contribution in elucidating the enigma of the Jewish people’s survival in our age,” according to an American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev press release. 

Per the press release, Friedlander — the inaugural holder of the 1939 Club Chair in Holocaust Studies at UCLA, a 1999 MacArthur Fellow and 2008 Pulitzer Prize winner — expressed hope that his work on the Holocaust will have a lasting impact. 

“My dream that people will take from my work is the direction leading to compassion, understanding the suffering of others, and the will to live peacefully with others,” the honoree said in accepting the honor.

During the same event, BGU recognized social activist, philanthropist and psychologist Cheryl Saban with an honorary doctoral degree. Saban, who is married to Haim Saban, is an author and president of the Saban Family Foundation.

“My ability to give is going to continue for the rest of my life, but I really think that when one person is giving, it’s like putting a stone in a pond,” Saban said, according to a press release. “It’s a ripple that continues out. It’s infectious — it’s actually contagious in a good way. 

In conferring the honorary degree, Carmi praised the honoree’s contributions to the community and called her “a woman of vision.”

Also recognized with an honorary doctoral degree was Long Beach philanthropist James M. Breslauer, who was recognized for “personally spearheading the development of and funding for Israel’s new cyber technology center, CyberSpark, at the new Advanced Technologies Park, in Beer-Sheva,” the press release stated.

American Jewish University president Robert Wexler and Los Angeles Jewish Home CEO-President Molly Forrest. Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Jewish Home

American Jewish University (AJU) President Robert Wexler presented Los Angeles Jewish Home CEO-President Molly Forrest with an honorary degree during AJU’s commencement ceremony on May 18.

Wexler highlighted the important role Forrest, as the leader of a nationally renowned provider of senior health care services, has played in bolstering the L.A. Jewish community. 

“Molly, the work you have done on behalf of our community is nothing short of remarkable. Step by step, you have made our local Jewish Home a model for communities around the country, both through your creative planning and your careful management,” Wexler said, according to a press release.

In accepting the degree, Forrest said, “I am incredibly touched and honored to receive this doctorate degree and thank the AJU for it. rI share the success of today with gratitude to many donors, staff, colleagues, volunteers and board members who give so much to make the Jewish Home what it is.”

Front row (from left): Rabbi Denise Eger of Congregation Kol Ami, former L.A. City Clerk June Lagmay, homeless-youth advocate Carlos Sosa, and community leaders Elaine Harley and Mignon Moore.

Back row (from left): Rabbi Lisa Edwards of Beth Chayim Chadashim, City Controller Ron Galperin, NBA player Jason Collins, L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti, former Councilmember Bill Rosendahl, Councilmember Mike Bonin and Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell. 

Los Angeles’ LGBT Heritage Month kickoff celebration honored equality activists in the community on May 30 at City Hall.

This year’s honorees included NBA athlete Jason Collins, former L.A. City Clerk June Lagmay, homeless-youth advocate Carlos Sosa, Rabbi Lisa Edwards, Rabbi Denise Eger, and community leaders Mignon Moore and Elaine Harley.

The City Council gave a presentation about the activists and advocates, explaining the work they’ve done to more than 250 people in attendance. Mayor Eric Garcetti, City Controller Ron Galperin, Councilmember Mike Bonin and Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell participated in the ceremony, which was followed by a reception in the City Hall forecourt.

“LGBT heritage month is our opportunity every year to recognize the integral role of the LGBT community in our life and culture here in Los Angeles,” Galperin said.

Eger of Congregation Kol Ami in West Hollywood has advanced equality over her 26-year career. 

“It was a very significant event,” Eger said in a phone interview. “I think part of it has to do with the instrumental way the Jewish community has modeled learning to be tolerant, accepting and ultimately inclusive. And I think that is a huge issue. It wasn’t always inclusive. Now in the Jewish community in L.A., in particular, it still struggles, but even in the Orthodox communities, conversation is happening.”

Eger has worked with members of the government and City Council to address LGBT acceptance in Los Angeles and the world as a whole. Galperin called her and Edwards “two of our community’s most inspiring leaders — for their advocacy, scholarship and commitment to equality.”

“We’ve played a role in the Jewish community for that conversation to happen and for teaching other big traditions how to be inclusive,” Eger said. “We learn to work across color lines and ethnicity lines. It’s a model for the greater world.”

— Michelle Chernack, Contributing Writer

State Assembly candidates Jacqui Irwin and Rob McCoy participated in a dialogue at the New Shul of the Conejo on March 29. The New Shul’s Rabbi Michael Barclay moderated. Photo courtesy of the New Shul of the Conejo

Two candidates for the 44th State Assembly District — Democrat Jacqui Irwin and Republican Rob McCoy — participated in a debate on May 29 at the New Shul of the Conejo.

During the dialogue, which included an hour of debate and a meet-and-greet with audience members, the candidates discussed economic growth, education and their commitment to serving the community, according to Rabbi Michael Barclay. The district includes southern Ventura County.

Both candidates received enough votes in the June 3 primary election to advance to the general election in November. A third candidate, Republican Mario de la Piedra, did not take part in the debate.

The debate took place at the Center for Spiritual Living in Westlake Village, where the synagogue currently holds services. Barclay said there was a strong turnout for the event, with attendees filling half the sanctuary.

Since its founding 3 1/2 years ago, the New Shul has worked to establish a dialogue on spiritual, social and political issues relevant to the Jewish community. Last year, the synagogue invited three Jewish leaders from different denominations to discuss the community’s response to same-sex marriage. Barclay said these kinds of events create opportunities for Jews to become more educated on issues that affect them.

“I think it’s important for us to recognize that, in order for us to say we’re spiritual people, we have to be active people as well,” he said.

— Nuria Mathog, Contributing Writer 

Moving and Shaking highlights events, honors and simchas. Got a tip? Email ryant@jewishjournal.com.