April's People

By: Gad Nahshon

300 local and national Jewish leaders participated in the J.C.R.C.'s 22nd Annual Congressional Breakfast (March 5) at the U.J.A.'s Grand Ballroom in Manhattan. They also gave tribute to Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan who leaves the senate for good. Many people praised the famous great senator for his unique leadership.

Among the guests who attended were: Senator Charles Schumer, Shmuel Sisso, Congressmen Ben Gilman, Eliot Engle, Jerrold Nadler, Major Owens, Edolphus Towns and Anthony Weiner. And the following: Congresswomen Nita M. Lowey, Carolyn McCarthy and Carolyn Maloney. The J.C.R.C. was represented by: Abraham Biderman, Judah Gribetz, Fredric Mack, Michael Miller, James S. Tisch, Bernice Manocherian and the president of the J.C.R.C., Glendale B. Horowitz. At the end of the ceremony, Senator Charles Schumer gave an award to Senator Moynihan who was always ready to fight for the well being of the Jewish community for its specific needs as well as for the well being of Israel.

The 16th Israeli Film Festival is one more success story in this country: New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and Chicago. It is an 'institution' which was founded by IsraFest Production Inc's. president, Meir Fenigstein. Arnon Milchen is the honorary president. This festival, which brings the message of Israel to this country, is being supported by the Israeli consulates or by Shmuel Sisso and Rafi Gamzou in New York, and Yoval Rotem in Los Angeles.

There are many other supporters such as Jack Valenti or Dr. Matilda Krim. The most famous 'who's who' in Hollywood are in the festival's various committees. For example, Sheri Lansing, Richard Drefuss, Goldie Hawn, Lou Gossett Jr., and Robert DeNiro. Many celebrities sent letters of support to Fenigstein: "The Israeli Film Festival... offers thousands of Americans a wonderful opportunity to experience the life and culture of Israel..." wrote President Clinton. Ehud Barak, Israel's Prime Minister, praised the unique contribution of this festival to the prestige of Israel. Both leaders praised Arnon Milchen who received a special award at the festival. Among other friends of the festival: Senator Dianne Feinstein, George E. Pataki, Rudi Giuliani, Richard Riordan, George E. Ryan, Matan Vilnai, Dr. Yuey Tamir and Tsipora Rimon.

Ambassador Shmuel Sisso was the guest of honor at the Brooklyn Medgar Evers College. He was invited by the president, Dr. Edison O. Jackson and Sisso gave the keynote speech: "The Middle East peace process." Israel is known as a country which has cultivated a special kind of brotherhood with the African-American community. And a special 'Martin Luther King Jr.' event took place at the official residence of Ambassador Sisso.

Manhattan resident Warren Zorek, a Holocaust survivor and chairman of the American Red Cross in Greater New York Disaster Services Advisory Committee, has been appointed chair of the American Red Cross Holocaust and War Victims Tracing and Information Center in Baltimore, MD. Mr. Zorek, a Red Cross volunteer for 41 years, will be heading the Red Cross' effort to uncover the fate of people lost in Europe and the former Soviet Union during the WW II era.

"The American Red Cross in Greater New York is proud that Warren was chosen for this honor. His family's experience during the Holocaust, as well as his proven dedication to the Red Cross in the past, make him ideal for this leadership position," said Robert M. Bender, Jr., chief executive officer of the American Red Cross in Greater New York.

Ambassador Shmuel Sisso, Alan Hevesi, president of B'nai Zion and Michael Miller of J.C.R.C., participated in the American Jewish congress' Symposium: "Israel and the American Jewish Community -maintaining the unity for the 21st century," which took place at the A.J.C. headquarters in Manhattan.

"The Garden of Hannah List" is a play by Michael McKeever. It is a unique thriller set in Nuremberg during the Nazi insurgency. It was staged in N.Y.C. by the Hypothetical Theater Company, whose artistic director is Amy Feinberg. For information call 212-641-8582.

The National Center for Jewish Film (Brandis University), sponsored the screening of Joan Grossman and Paul Rosdy's documentary "The Port of Last Resort." The Film documents the life of 20,000 Jewish refugees in 1938 in Shanghai, China. The film was co-sponsored by The Austrian Consulate, N.Y.C.

Professor Judy Salwen, a contributor to the Jewish Post was very impressed by the new Jackie Mason hit on Broadway, "Much Ado About Everything."

Salwen, in her mini review, wrote: "Jackie Mason takes no prisoners and shows no discrimination. Everything is his victim (including himself) and he targets them with joy and humor. Returning to the John Golden Theatre, Manhattan, he carries on for two hilarious hours jabbing at Puerto Ricans, Jews, Ed Sullivan, Gentiles, Clinton, cell phones, e-mail - you name it, Jackie's assaulting it, all in the name of fun. This one-person performance perks up in the second act, after a slower, but still worthwhile first act, and is a great way to chuck off the winter doldrums. You'll laugh till your sides ache. I did!"

Holocaust survivor David Faber wrote "Because of Romek," a book about his brother, the partisan. Faber is a Holocaust survivor who recently spoke at the National Speaker Association's Conference in Los-Angeles: "There is no tougher audience than the masters of the professional speaking industry," said NSA President Dave Gorden, a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) and member of the CPAE Speaking Hall of Fame(r). "David's compelling stories and insights left us all speechless, and believe me, that doesn't happen easily around here."

A unique hand scroll depicting the Jews of Kaifeng, China and a rubbing of the inscriptions on the stone monument (stele) that stood in the forecourt of the Kaifeng Synagogue was featured in an exhibition highlighting the 1,000 year-old Jewish presence in China. Rabbi Arthur Schneier, President of the Appeal of Conscience Foundation and Senior Rabbi of Park East Synagogue, signed an agreement with the Hunan Provincial Bureau of Cultural Relics, People's Republic of China, for the delivery of the rubbing - one side dates from 1489 CE and the other from 1512 CE - created especially for the Foundation. The hand scroll also depicts the synagogue in Kaifeng, which dates back to the 11th century, and was created by the artist Zheng Pan.

The Jewish Museum will present Paris in New York: French Jewish Artists in Private Collections, an exhibition of paintings and sculpture by Jewish artists working in Paris in the first third of the 20th century, from March 5 through June 25, 2000. Paris in New York will feature 38 works by 12 artists, including Marc Chagall, Sonia Delaunay, Man�-Katz, Mo�se Kisling, Jacques Lipchitz, Louis Marcoussis, Amedeo Modigliani, Elie Nadelman, Chana Orloff, Jules Pascin, Chaim Soutine, and Max Weber, all of whom found inspiration in the vibrant and beautiful City of Light. The exhibition will cover the most innovative years of the School of Paris, from 1907 to 1939. With the majority of the paintings and sculpture borrowed from private collections in the New York area - and supplemented with major examples from The Jewish Museum's collection - Paris in New York will bring into public view works rarely seen before.

In 1924, Bertold Brecht, together with Leon Fuechtwanger, decided to use a play by Marlowe about the life of King Edward II (1307-1327) who became known because he was...gay. (The Lover: Gaveston) The play was translated by Eric Bently and thanks to the "Jean Cocteau Repertory" theatre (330 Bowery), we had a rare chance to see this unique play by Brecht. The closing night is April 20, 2000 (212-677-0060).

This is the only tragedy which was written by Brecht. It was directed by Karen Lordi. The acting was superb and the directing was illuminating and rich with ideas. The leading actors were: Harris Berlinsky, Jason Crowell, Craig Smith and Elise Stone.

Return to People Archives Back to Top