Henry Winkler, joined by Jewish, "Happy Days" pals, provide welcomed spark to revived Israel Film Festival in Hollywood

Henry Winkler as orthodox dad in "Chanshi"

Henry Winkler portrays a Hassidic father in an Israel-set TV series, "Chanshi" resulted in the Israel Film Festival recognizing him with a Career Achievement Award at the Festival's launch in Los Angeles. And the Festival honored the actor, director, producer by reunion with his fellow "Happy Days" Jewish alumni.

Happy Days' surviving Jewish cast-members (sans the late, Tom ("Howard Cunningham") Bosely) reunited as Henry Winkler was honored with Career Achievement by the Israel Film Festival. Anson (Potsie Webber) Williams and Don (Ralph Malph) Most attended in support of colleague, Winkler.

Elon Gold, Mark Feuerstein, Anson Williams, Henry Winkler, Meir Fenigstein, and Don Most attend the 35th Israel Film Festival in L.A. Sponsor Luncheon at Four Seasons Hotel L.A, April 29, 2022

Mr. Winkler regaled the mostly Israeli-American audience with a show and tell from his trip to the Holy Land, where he filmed segments for the Israeli-American co-production of "Chanshi" and was given a tour of the country, courtesy of the Israeli government.

I.F.F. director Meir Fenigstein; Humanitarian awardee David Wiener; Israeli Southwest Consul General Dr. Hillel Newman; and Career Achievement Awardee Henry Winkler

Festival supporter, Daphna Ziman (co-founder of the Cinemoi TV Channel) presented the Humanitarian Award to philanthropist David Wiener, who (unlike a number of his family members) survived the Auschwitz Holocaust death camp. 

Mike Burstyn, Daphna Ziman, David Wiener, and
Meir Fenigstein pose for Humanitarian Awarding

Mr. Wiener lifted himself by his bootstraps sufficiently to establish a real-estate portfolio which enabled him to support Zionistic causes, such as the Israel Film Festival in Los Angeles and occasionally in New York and Miami. In his acceptance speech, he stressed the importance of maintaining pride in our Jewish identity. This is a dynamic reconfirmed by actor Mark Feuerstein, who played Henry Winkler's son in "Royal Pains," a USA Network series about boutique doctors in The Hamptons. Mr. Feurerstein told JooTube how he continues to stand strongly Zionistic and doesn't perceive that that Hollywood casting or production has held it against him.

Mark Feurerstein admires the Festival's poster

The Israel Film Festival returns beginning Thursday 6 May for 2 weeks in Los Angeles. Henry Winkler, Anson Williams, and Don Most reunite for his Lifetime Achievement Award. Winkler stars in Israeli-American series, "Chanshi." Just how Jewish are the co-stars in their upbringings? How about prolific show director, Garry Marshall?

The festival runs for two weeks from 7 May through 26th. To read details, please refer to the schedule and synopses available, along with movie trailers at https://IsraelFilmFestival.com/

Celebrate Israel Festival attracts diverse support in Los Angeles & across N. America

 

Thousands of people celebrated Israel's Independence Day at the Festival - now managed under the auspices of the Israeli-American Council by director, Adee Drory. Co-founded by her father, the IAC moved the event back to Rancho Park 7-years ago after a number of years in Woodley Park in the San Fernando Valley. Israeli pop-star, Dudu Aharon, united the audience of Israeli-Americans and others in celebration of Jewish self-governance and autonomy. 

Israeli Consul General to Los Angeles, Sam Grundwerg welcomed all friends of Israel to learn more about her history and culture at the event which has become increasingly about Israel and Israeli-Americans than in previous years. (Select Playlist's menu in video's upper-left corner). 

L.A. City Councilman Paul Koretz said, "It has been a great pleasure of mine to have brought this (Celebrate Israel Festival) back to Rancho Park during the past 6-years. We love working with the IAC and making this happen."

Teacher Luna Kadori-Shalom and talmid

Watch comments from IAC Board Members Adam Milstein and Miri Shepher, along with cause-benefactor, David Wiener, who conveys the need for the Jewish sanctuary after he survived Nazi slave-laboring in Poland. Playlist clips include activities at the event, as well as commentary from diverse attendees at the educational booths around the exhibition. 

In addition to Judaism teachers, Luna Kaduri-Shalom and Miriam Almog, the playlist above also features comments by a couple of non-Jews who attended the event, as well as Yirmiyahu Burke, born Latino-Christian in Panama, who describes his path to Judaism and Zionism, and (as a 32-year U.S. Air Force active & reservist) his recognition of the need for the Jewish-state's safety and survival in order to ensure the freedom of the peoples of the world. 

At 14th Festival of Lights, L.A.-based Stand With Us shows global organizational reach

More than 1,200 people gathered on the last night of Hanukkah for the StandWithUs' annual gala, "Festival of Lights," celebrating the non-profit Israel education organization's fourteen years of growth and achievements.   The event was held at the Century Plaza Hotel in Century City, Los Angeles, on December 13, 2015.

StandWithUs (SWU) was founded in 2001 by Roz and Jerry Rothstein and community leader Esther Renzer as an international organization that educates peoples of all ages and faiths about Israel.  The organization now has multiple chapters throughout the U.S. and including Israel, Canada and the U.K.

SWU honored two philanthropists who have dedicated their lives to supporting Israel:  Leo David and David Wiener.  David is a Holocaust survivor who immigrated to America after World War II ended, and Leo moved to Israel from Germany where he joined the Israeli army prior to moving to New York.  Both men warned of the danger Israel is facing as a result of the propaganda war promoted by the boycott movement,  primarily on campuses.  They commended SWU for educating people of all ages around the world, particularly to high school and college students.

(Left to Right): Honorees Leo David and David Wiener hold the Menorahs bestowed to them at 

"Festival of Lights" Credit: Jonah Light Photography

Similar to previous years, the gala was underwritten by Ellie and Bruce Lederman and Debbie and Naty Saidoff.  As a result, all the funds will go directly into programming for 2016.  

(left to right):  Roz Rothstein, CEO, StandWithUs; gala co-chairs Naty and Debbie Saidoff; honoree Leo David; honoree David Wiener; keynote speaker Malcolm Hoenlein; gala co-chairs Ellie and Bruce Lederman; Esther Renzer, President, SWU and Jerry Rothstein, COO, SWU and emcee Elon Gold

Bruce Lederman, co-host of "Festival of Lights" introduced keynote speaker Malcolm Hoenlein, executive vice chairman/CEO of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Organizations.  Malcolm wove Hanukkah themes into the present day challenges, noting that the archeological find of coins from Hasmonean (Maccabean) period is God's way of reminding Jews of their past and the promise of the future.  The triumph of the Maccabees is an example of the ingathering of exiles to Israel, similar to the ones from Iran, Syria,and Ethiopia, among others.  He praised SWU for standing with Israel and remarked that those who have stood with Israel survived throughout history and those who didn't, are forgotten.


Keynote speaker Malcolm Hoenlein. Credit: Jonah Light Photography

Two United States Congressmen - a Republican and Democrat - were honored with the StandWithUs "Guardian of Israel" award  - Ed Royce (R-39th district) and Juan Vargas (D-51st district) for their courage in voting against the Iran nuclear deal and continuing to approve aid to Israel.. Introduced by SWU President Esther Renzer as true guardians of Democratic values and of the American-Israel relationship, she also acknowledged CA State Assemblyman Travis Allen who recently introduced a critical bill in the California state assembly which would prohibit the state from doing business with any entity that would boycott Israel.  The bill will  deal a blow to the Boycott movement.


(Left to right): Roz Rothstein, Marie Royce; Congressman Ed Royce (R-CA); Congressman Juan Vargas (D-CA); Malcolm Hoenlein; Esther Renzer; Jerry Rothstein and emcee Elon Gold. Credit: Jonah Light Photography
StandWithUs has a high school internship program entering its fourth year and the Emerson Fellowship for college students in its ninth year.  Two students were honored with the "Star of David" award for being role models in educating their peers about Israel and fighting anti-Israel rhetoric at their schools.  Olivia Feldman, attends LA County High School for the Arts.  She recalled that her passion for Israel began while on a trip there.  When she returned, she realized that her peers were extremely critical of Israel even though they didn't have much information.   Unsure as to how to express her support, Olivia credits the StandWithUs high school Internship for giving her the tools and the courage to express that "loving Israel goes hand-in-hand with  my values."

Tomer Kornfeld, John Jay College of Criminal Justice and the SWU New York Campus Liaison, asked the audience how they would feel if they walked onto their campus and met by a "die-in" where students are laying on the ground, pretending to be shot by  Israeli soldiers.  A graduate of the first Teen Internship program and an Emerson Fellow, Tomer credited SWU for giving him the  knowledge to properly respond to these kinds of actions, emphasizing that, "none of this would be possible without SWU."


(Left to right):  Tomer Kornfeld, Malcolm Hoenlein and Olivia Feldman 

Credit: Jonah Light Photography

Robert French, co-founder and co-chair of StandWithUs-New York delivered an impassioned speech stressing the importance of SWU's work in clearing misconceptions and fighting the lies against Israel.  

Robert French, co-founder and co-chair SWU-NY adresses the audience. 

Credit: Jonah Light Photography

Roz Rothstein, co-founder and CEO StandWithUs expressed that, "we do this work for our children and our grandchildren."  As a child of Holocaust survivors who lost many family members, she urged that we must take an active role, reminding the audience that Israeli's defend Israel with their children and the very least we can do is to defend Israel with words and deeds.  

Los Angeles Israel Consul General David Siegel opened the evening.  He stated that these are perilous times for Israel, but SWU is central in the fight. He commended the Israel education organization for having the foresight to recognize the need 14 years ago, when it began reaching out to high school and college students, building a giant platform that empowers them to clarify Israel's challenges and achievements.  Siegel expressed that while "we work for Israel, we are confident that SWU is there."


(Left to Right) - Naty Saidoff, SWU-"Festival Of Lights" co-chair; honoree Leo David; Israel's Consul General to Los Angeles David Siegel at the Menorah lighting. Credit - Orly Halevy

Comedian Elon Gold emceed the event, and once again, anti-Boycott rapper Ari Lesser closed the evening with a rousing performance.  The national anthems were sung by Rabbi Cantor Alison Wissot (American) and SWU Board member Alon Miller (Israeli.)  The David Kates Orchestra provided the music.
 

Anti-BDS rapper Ari Lesser. Credit: Jonah Light Photography

The event was followed by a Young Professionals after-party attended by hundreds and sponsored by Barak Raviv and Joel Mowbray.

SWU staff enjoy the Young Professionals After-Party.  Credit: Jonah Light Photography