American Friends of The Citizens’ Empowerment Center in Israel, a group whose initiatives focus on democracy education and leadership programs, drew more than 500 guests to its gala dinner, From Vision to Reality, Sept. 26 at the Kodak Theatre’s Grand Ballroom. The event honored producer Avi Arad (“Spider-Man”) with a lifetime achievement award and acknowledged five Israeli student participants in its Ambassadors for Israel project, along with an award-winning teacher, for their work in civics and educational achievement. Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon delivered the keynote and actress-producer Noa Tishby served as emcee.
From left: Don and Ali Bland, Avi and Joyce Arad, and Jon Voight. Photos courtesy of CECI |
From left: Dora Kadisha, Noa Tishby and Neil Kadisha. |
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From left: Soraya Nazarian, Amy Pascal and David Suissa. |
| Hollywood turned out to support The LA Event, an Oct. 1 rooftop party at West Hollywood’s The London Hotel benefiting PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays). The inaugural PFLAG event honored Ryan Murphy, creator of “Glee,” and Lisa Cholodenko, writer/director of “The Kids Are All Right.” “Modern Family’s” Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Eric Stonestreet emceed the evening, which included special appearances by Jane Lynch (“Glee”) and Pauley Perrette (“NCIS”) as well as a performance by Nelly Furtado. |
Steven Karash, The Journal’s executive vice president of advertising and marketing, with Jane Lynch (“Glee”). Photos by Courtney Raney |
LA Event Host Committee members Lynette and Larry J. Sperber. 
From left: “Modern Family’s” Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Eric Stonestreet. |
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