Author, Author!
The Peninsula Hotel Beverly Hills was the site of a distinguished gathering of literary stars. The cause célèbre: the third Literary Odyssey Dinners, which will unfold Nov. 5. Dubbed “50 Dinners,” the salon-style soirée benefiting Los Angeles Public Library literacy programs will take place at lavish private residences citywide and give participants the opportunity to dine on an intimate level with hot authors and columnists, including Arianna Huffington, Patt Morrison, Carol Muske-Dukes, Catherine Mulholland, and Journal contributor Gina Nahai, who told The Circuit that the follow-up to her 1999 smash “Moonlight on the Avenue of Faith” is due in November.
Downtown Central’s Evelyn Hoffman and City Librarian Susan Kent also attended the kickoff. Spotted near the sushi were Beverly Hills Courier Editor-in-Chief March Schwartz and New Times food columnist Naomi Glauberman.
Actor Gregory Peck and his wife, Veronique, will host a Central Library reception on the night before the dinners, which will be co-chaired by Joan Burns and Anita Garnier.
For information on Literary Odyssey Dinners, call (323) 954-7510.
Auction-Packed Affair
Last weekend, members of the Women’s International Zionist Organization Los Angeles (WIZO) held a silent auction at Bel Air Crest Clubhouse.
“All of the art at the auction were by Israeli artists. It was a very nice event,” said Malka Fogel, vice president of WIZO USA.
Among the pieces: works by painter Sandy Burstein and sculptor Rachel Ross. The event, benefiting WIZO’s local chapter, was co-chaired by Kathie Mannheim and Eva Weisel.
Hannah and Her Sisters
More than 300 people attended the Second Annual Hannah G. Solomon Awards. Sponsored by National Council of Jewish Women Los Angeles (NCJW/LA), the Westside gala honored Whoopi Goldberg and Tammy Ader, executive producers of Lifetime’s “Strong Medicine”; chef-turned-entrepreneur Rochelle Huppin Fleck; and community activist Roslyn Cooperman. The evening raised nearly $120,000 for NCJW/LA’s community services, a 90-year tradition.
Young at Heart
Hadassah Southern California Metro Area Annual Youth Services Luncheon raised money for Hadassah’s Youth Aliyah, Young Judaea programs (American camps, Israel Experience), and Hadassah College of Technology and Hadassah’s Career Counseling Institute.
Professionally Yours
Jewish Vocational Service (JVS) held its annual graduation ceremony for its Wo-Mentoring program, which pairs women seeking to learn a vocation with female professionals in the field. Keynote speaker Patty De Dominic, CEO of PDQ Personnel Services, provided inspiration at the Skirball Cultural Center luncheon. In related news, JVS CEO Vivian Seigel was sworn in as president of the International Association of Jewish Vocational Services (IAJVS) at the annual meeting in Philadelphia.
Original Syn
“Sex and the Synagogue,” an op-ed article by Rhonda Rees, a veteran public relations specialist, grabbed first place for writing at the “Spotlight on Public Relations 2001” PRo Awards.
Smooth Educator
Assemblymember Paul Koretz (D-W. Hollywood) named Barbara Yaroslavsky Woman of the Year.
“Barbara has demonstrated that she is truly deserving of the honor,” said Koretz, who cited
her involvement with various school boards, and her years as president of both the PTA and the board of regents at Emmanuel Schools. Yaroslavsky has also served as vice president of Bureau of Jewish Education.
Party Like It’s 1939
Prof. Deborah Lipstadt, flanked by 1939 Club President William Elperin and last year’s recipient Prof. Marilyn Harran, was presented with 1939 Club’s Teacher of the Holocaust Award.
Sugar on Top
Edythe Sugar, B’nai B’rith International’s liaison to Jewish National Fund (JNF), received a certificate of appreciation from the JNF for her decades of work
Look Who’s Talking
Sara Schlussel, 14, of YULA High School for Girls, performed a spoken-word/dramatic performance with 13 young women from YULA titled “Voices of Terezin.” Produced and directed by actress Carrie Ceryes, “Voices” took place at the Simon Wiesenthal Museum of Tolerance.
