From left: Juliet Gilden, Diane Warren and Nancy Matalon attend an event organized by the Black-Jewish Entertainment Alliance’s gallery event in West Hollywood. Photo by Matt Gucci The Black-Jewish Entertainment Alliance (BJEA) hosted an art show in West Hollywood to honor Black and Jewish women in the entertainment industry.
The art show was titled, “Through the Glass Ceiling: A Portrait Series Honoring Entertainment’s Trailblazing Black and Jewish Women.”
Photo by Matt Gucci
The centerpiece of the event were acrylic paintings by Baltimore-based artist Juliet Gilden of BJEA members Diane Warren, a 13-time Academy Award nominee for Best Song; Sherry Lansing, former CEO of Paramount Pictures; actress Emmanuelle Chriqui; Orly Marley, president of Tuff Gong Records; singer-songwriter, DJ and activist Autumn Rowe; Phylicia Fant, head of music industry partnerships at Amazon Music; and Nancy Matalon, vice president of Spirit Music Group.
Before the painting process, Gilden spent time speaking with each of her subjects to discuss their lives, careers and aspirations of future generations of Black and Jewish women in entertainment. Their answers became the basis for the vibrant art pieces on display.
The BJEA’s is a joint initiative by Black and Jewish entertainment industry professionals devoted to countering racism and antisemitism in the entertainment community.
“The Jewish community must continue to speak out against racial injustice and work to effect change, while the Black community must continue to speak out against all forms of antisemitism,” the BJEA says in their unity statement.
The BJEA was founded in early 2021, mere days after the U.S. Capitol was stormed by a crowd that wielded signs, symbols and slogans of the Confederacy and the Nazi party.
“I am honored to be a part of such an inspiring group of diverse, trailblazing women, who have paved the way for so many others in the entertainment industry,” said Rowe. “I will continue to use my platform to combat racism and antisemitism, and I am proud to be joined by women who have embodied courage, persistence, and tenacity throughout their incredible careers.”
Young Jewish professionals across Los Angeles gathered for LA Day Camp, a professional development opportunity for those working at a Hillel, a Federation, a synagogue, day school, summer camp, foundation, think tank or start-up.
Organized by Trybal Gatherings and supported by the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles, the program was designed to ignite young Jewish leaders with new ideas, inspire their curiosity and build connections among them.
Gathering on May 12 at Camp Bob Waldorf, a Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters of Los Angeles site in Glendale, attendees enjoyed a range of chugim (electives) over the course of the jam-packed day, from pickleball to yoga, cooking workshops to jam sessions.
“This unique, experiential professional development opportunity helped Jewish professionals recharge purposefully with colleagues in a playful environment,” Jewish Federations of North America Incoming Chair Julie Platt said. “I’m especially thrilled that more than 60 Federation professionals got to have some fun and strengthen their team.”
“Camp counselors” included Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles CEO Rabbi Noah Farkas; UCLA Hillel Director of Student Life Rabbi Tarlan Rabizadeh; Foundation for Jewish Camp Regional Director Margalit Rosenthal; and Trybal Gatherings CEO Carine Warsawski.
“We were thrilled to bring LA Day Camp to Jewish professionals and help strengthen the local community,” Warsawski said. “All campers walked away from this experience with inspiration, tools and modalities that can influence who they engage in their work.”
Trybal Gatherings is a national nonprofit that reimagines Jewish gatherings in a modern world.
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