The Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies ordained its 12th class of rabbis on May 17 at Sinai Temple. Front row, from left: Elizabeth Jill Honeyrose Heydemann; Yael Elisheva Saidoff; Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson, Ziegler dean; Reb Mimi Feigelson, rabbinic studies lecturer; Aryeh Cohen; Deborah Ruth Hilary Silver and Eve Bethany Posen.Back row, from left: Rabbi Cheryl Peretz, Ziegler associate dean; Abraham Samuel Friedman; Amitai Adler; Benjamin Seth Goldstein; Alon Chaim Ferency and Rabbi Aaron Alexander, Ziegler associate dean.
The Academy for Jewish Religion, California (AJR, CA) held its 2010 rabbinic and cantorial ordination and chaplaincy graduation at Stephen S. Wise Temple on May 31, ordaining six rabbis, four cantors and three chaplains. Front row, from left: Cantor Rebekah Mirsky, Rabbi Linda Seidman, Rabbi Roberta “Birdie” Becker and Chaplain Laura Young. Middle row, from left: Cantor Edward Robin; Cantor Pamela Simmons; Cantor Nathan Lam, dean of the AJR, CA Cantorial School; Rabbi Mel Gottlieb, AJR, CA president; Chaplain Amy Altshuld and Rabbi Lori Schneide. Back row, from left: Cantor Jonathan Friedmann, Rabbi Rita Hertzberg, Rabbi Randall Brown, Rabbi Janice Mehring and Chaplain Robert Lifson.
Celebrities and poker fans turned out at the Avalon Hollywood on May 10 in support of homeless youth during The Bicycle Casino’s Hold ’Em for the Homeless Celebrity Poker Tournament, which benefited the Opstand Foundation’s Malibu House of Hope (malibuhouseofhope.org). Recording artist Evan Taubenfeld placed fourth at the Final Table, and the night’s big winner was Malibu House of Hope supporter Doug Colliuo, earning the grand prize of a seat at the 2011 World Poker Tour Celebrity Invitational, valued at over $25,000 and donated by Commerce Casino.
From left: Comedy writer Michael Rotman, “Mad Men” actors Rich Sommer and Michael Gladis and “Inglourious Basterds” actor Samm Levine.
Evan Taubenfeld wins big.
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