American Friends of the Hebrew University (AFHU) held its 17th annual Bel Air Affaire on Sept. 19 in Beverly Hills.
The annual event supports student scholarships at Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Drawing about 330 attendees, the event raised more than $2.6 million and honored philanthropist and artist Soraya Nazarian with the “Humanitarian Torch of Learning” award.
“We are pleased to honor Soraya Sarah Nazarian with the Humanitarian Torch of Learning Award in recognition of her unwavering leadership and generosity, which have enriched our community through her commitment to education, the arts, Israel and beyond,” AFHU Western Region President Michael Cypers said.
Nazarian is the co-founder of the Younes and Soraya Nazarian Family Foundation, which supports educational, medical, artistic and cultural charitable causes in Israel and the U.S. She’s also a gifted sculptor who honed her craft at University of Judaism (today American Jewish University) in the 1980s before establishing her own studio. Her work has been featured throughout the United States and Israel.
The theme of the evening was “Wings of Opportunity,” inspired by the name of Nazarian’s Carrara marble sculpture, “Wings,” which she gifted to Hebrew University in 2014. It’s currently displayed on the university’s Mount Scopus campus in Jerusalem.
“There are two gifts of real value we can give our children,” Nazarian said, accepting her award. “One is roots, the other is wings.”
Along with Cypers, additional speakers included Hebrew University President Tamir Sheafer; event Co-Chairs Joyce Brandman, Renae Jacobs-Anson and Helen Jacobs-Lepor; as well as Next-Gen Chairs Ariel Anson and Marissa Lepor.
Zvi Mendelsohn, a Hebrew University scholarship recipient and student ambassador, also participated in the program. Appearing as the keynote speaker, Mendelsohn spoke about his upbringing in a deeply religious family in Israel and his decision to leave that community and enlist in the IDF. Out in the secular world, he knew he needed an education. And he was able to get one thanks to H.U. He enrolled in H.U.’s yearlong pre-university Mechina program, which offers intensive instruction in Hebrew and English, equipping those enrolled with the skills needed to pursue higher education in Israel. He later pursued legal studies at both Hebrew University and UCLA. Today, he has his own law practice.
The event was held at the Greenacres Harold Lloyd Estate, in the Benedict Canyon section of Beverly Hills and began on a large open-air area, where waiters passed appetizers and open bars served up cocktails.
Dinner took place on a tennis court that had been transformed into a dining area facing a stage and screens that played videos showing student life on Hebrew University’s campus.
An after-party featured a dessert buffet and live synchronized swimming.
Amid the evening’s elaborate entertainment, the goal showcased the historic past, successful present and promising future of H.U., which is widely recognized as one of the most distinguished academic and research universities in the world. The university is home to more than 25,000 students and more than 1,000 researchers across six campuses and seven faculties.
Justin Pressman, executive director of AFHU Western Region, spoke to The Journal about the importance of the annual event for raising funds and awareness for the work of the Jerusalem-based university. He called the Bel Air Affaire the “flagship fundraiser” for the western region of AFHU.
He added, “It was such an honor to work with the Nazarian family.”
The Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival (LAJFF) and Museum of Tolerance presented the Los Angeles premiere of “Dust Bowls and Jewish Souls: Another Side of Woody Guthrie”—the award-winning documentary by acclaimed filmmaker Steven Pressman.
Hilary Helstein, executive director of LAJFF, said the Sept. 17 screening “was an unforgettable evening celebrating film, music, history and the fascinating Jewish story behind one of America’s most iconic folk musicians.”
The evening was made even more memorable with a special live musical performance by Grammy Award-winning musician Lorin Sklamberg of The Klezmatics, bringing the spirit and music of Guthrie’s remarkable story to life.
