The 14th annual Bel Air Affaire, held Sept. 9 at the iconic Papillon Estate in Beverly Hills, raised more than $2 million for student scholarships at Israel’s Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HU).
This year’s honorees, Roberta and Stanley Bogen, were presented with the Humanitarian Torch of Learning Award during the event hosted by the Western Region of American Friends of the Hebrew University (AFHU).
“Roberta and Stanley Bogen have been actively involved with Hebrew University and AFHU for decades wherever they call home in the U.S.,” AFHU Western Region President Barbara Natterson-Horowitz said. “We are honored to welcome Roberta and Stanley to our Los Angeles AFHU community and pay tribute to their extraordinary generosity as vibrant AFHU members and Torch of Learning Honorees.”
Roberta and Stanley have generously supported the Hebrew University Lautenberg Center for General and Tumor Immunology, the Truman Center’s Roberta and Stanley Bogen Library, and the Rothberg International School. The Hebrew University Department of Economics bears the Bogen Family name, and, in honor of Stanley’s parents, the Bogens established two named chairs at the university: the Max Bogen Visiting Professorship in Economics and the Marcy Bogen Chair in Academic Excellence. The couple received the AFHU National Scopus Award in 2012.
As part of the evening’s festivities, Hebrew University President Asher Cohen welcomed guests. Student ambassador Yona Shemesh, a scholarship recipient pursuing Middle Eastern studies, addressed the gala attendees.
Guests were treated to the humorous comedienne Wendy Liebman as well as a pre-recorded greeting from legendary comedian Billy Crystal and cuisine from Whoa Nelly Catering.
On Aug. 26, friends, family and supporters of Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center turned out for a pre-opening celebration of the Friese Family Tower. Scheduled to open on Oct.1, the new patient tower will include an expanded emergency department, spacious all-private patient rooms, and state-of-the-art imaging technology.
Club Z, a national Zionist youth movement, announced on Aug. 31 that Batsheva Frankel has joined the organization as its director of education.
“I’m so excited to be working with all of the wonderful staff, students and parents at Club Z!” Frankel said. “I look forward to being able to marry my skills and experience with my love of Israel and the Jewish people.”
Frankel, a published author, educational consultant, podcast host, producer and sought-after speaker, brings more than 25 years of experience in innovative education to Club Z.
“It is a true honor and privilege to have Batsheva Frankel lead Club Z’s education team as Director of Education,” Masha Merkulova, founder and executive director of Club Z, said. “Batsheva is a giant in Jewish education and has extensive experience working with teens. She deeply understands how critical our groundbreaking educational approach and philosophy are to Club Z’s mission. With Batsheva at the helm, Club Z teens are uniquely positioned to become knowledgeable, confident Zionist teen leaders who confront antisemitism in their high schools, online, and ultimately, on college campuses.”
