From left: LAJFF Executive Director Hilary Helstein, filmmaker Becky Tahel and Rebbetzin Rachel and Rabbi Yonah Bookstein. Courtesy of Becky Tahel The Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival (LAJFF) teamed up with filmmaker Becky Tahel, Laemmle Theatres and community partners, including Pico Shul, LilSpace, Sinai Temple and ATID, for a special screening of “American Birthright” on March 27 at the Laemmle Town Center in Encino.
The theater had about 50-60 in attendance—almost sold out following COVID-19 protocols! The program opened with an introduction by LAJFF Executive Director Hilary Helstein and Tahel, and concluded with a thought-provoking Q-and-A discussion with the filmmaker, Tahel, with Rabbi Yonah Bookstein of Pico Shul moderating.
“There were so many discussion highlights,” Tahel said. “The film really moved folks to explore their own heritage and connect to their birthright. Some reflecting on how my immigrant journey was so unique and equally relatable. Others sharing how relatable the film was to all backgrounds, Jewish or not.”
“This great generosity of spirit, compassion and artistry made this evening happen,” he said. “And we hope this is not the last time.”
The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM) held its 2022 Western Region tribute event on March 30.
he in-person program at the Beverly Hilton honored Los Angeles-based Jane Jelenko, a past member of the United States Holocaust Memorial Council; Suzi and Steve Hilton of Phoenix, AZ; and the Tramiel Family of Palo Alto, CA.
“We are deeply indebted to the ongoing work and commitment to Holocaust education and awareness by this year’s award honorees and for the sharing of their families’ loss and journeys of survival and legacy today,” Marla Abraham, director of the Museum’s Western Region, said. “Their stories and others are deeply tragic and emotional, which must be the impetus to engage and educate new audiences and inform younger people of the significance of this history and what it means for them as they become engaged citizens.”
The program was one of USHMM’s first live events in more than two years. Attendees included Holocaust Museum LA CEO Beth Kean and L.A. City Controller Ron Galperin. Appearing in pre-recorded videos were USHMM Director Sara Bloomfield and actor-director Tim Matheson, among others.
Co-chairs were Amy and Andrew Cohn of Phoenix and Amanda Moose and Edward Lazarus of Santa Barbara.
The program was available to watch online.
Hundreds of Chabad-Lubavitch emissaries and supporters from over 40 states and dozens of countries converged upon the nation’s capital to mark the 120th anniversary of the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s birth.
Joining them on March 30 were more than 20 leaders and members of the House and Senate, an equal number of foreign ambassadors and senior diplomats, academics from the U.S. and overseas; and officials of the White House, State Department and international institutions.
The attendees marveled at the prestigious locations where events were held, such as the Senate‘s Kennedy Caucus Room, the Library of Congress, and the St. Regis Hotel, which is just across from the White House.
The day concluded with a gala reception and banquet in the Presidential Ballroom of the Marriott Marquis Hotel.
Among the prominent speakers and guests were Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, Senator Roy Blunt, and Sens. Ted Cruz, Amy Klobuchar, Cory Booker, Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan and Rick Scott. House members included Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Lee Zeldin and Josh Gottheimer.
Numerous ambassadors and diplomats attended the international diplomatic luncheon. Rabbi Jonathan Markovitch, Kyiv’s chief Rabbi and Shliach (emissary), offered the invocation.
After caucuses and sessions for the attendees, everyone headed to the Presidential Ballroom at the Marriott Marquis Hotel for the gala reception and banquet, where prominent community figures mingled with newsmakers, military officers, and friends, all who came to participate in this wonderful and memorable event.
The program, chaired by Rabbi Levi Shemtov, executive vice president of American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad), included remarks and addresses by human rights champion Natan Sharansky, who spoke of Chabad and Shluchim as the “Internet of Jews” before there was an Internet. Legendary Senator Joseph Lieberman mentioned how through the efforts of Chabad-Lubavitch around the world, the late Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson will not weaken after his passing and his spirit will live on well beyond 120.
Jewish music superstar Avraham Fried then capped the evening with a remarkable performance of the Rebbe’s niggunim, whereupon the hall erupted into spirited dancing.
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