The Circuit

University Synagogue paid tribute to the 30-year career of Rabbi Allen Freehling, on the occasion of the socially active rabbi’s retirement, with a gala at the Regent Beverly Wilshire.

“I will miss very much the way he pays attention to detail and to the needs of congregants. He knows everybody’s names,” said Cantor Jay Frailich, who has sung by Freehling’s side since 1974.

Janice Tytell, principal of University Synagogue’s religious school, said of the tireless Freehling, “He’s been a phenomenal supporter of everything. I’ve tried to do a lot in the religious school, and he’s been very supportive of a lot of innovations. I’m going to miss him.”

Rabbi Allen Freehling with “Friends” star David Schwimmer, who came with parents Paul and Arlene Schwimmer. The Schwimmers are among University Synagogue’s prominent congregants, who have also included real estate mogul Eli Broad and CBS Entertainment President Nancy Tellem. Photos by Todd Wawrychuk/Long.Photography Inc.

Calabasas High School freshman and Congregation Or Ami member Alex Student, left, joined Dr. Theodore G. Krontiris, executive vice president of medical and scientific affairs at City of Hope, at City of Hope’s 26th annual Bone Marrow Transplantation Reunion on April 19. Student celebrated the ongoing recovery of family friend and cancer survivor Andrea Klapova, for whom he raised $10,000 for his bar mitzvah project. Student’s gift, which will help fund cancer research, inspired his parents, Teri and Gene Student, and the Klapova family to become philanthropically involved with City of Hope. In recognition of his gift, Student’s name will be inscribed on a plaque at the City of Hope’s Duarte campus.

Julia Ruxin, who wrote about Elie Wiesel for her Brentwood School fourth-grade class, met the subject of her report at the gala. “Are you relieved to be a [Holocaust] survivor?” Ruxin asked Wiesel. “I’m relieved because I survived,” responded the Nobel Prize winner.

Marina del Rey and Venice residents Sari Eshman, Leslie Askanas, Carol Berk and Helene Feuerstein join Gerald Zaslaw, president/CEO of Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services at the annual luncheon recognizing Vista’s volunteer corps.