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LOS ANGELES, CA (June
21, 2017) –
American Society for Yad Vashem,
the organization dedicated to advancing Yad Vashem, The
World Holocaust Remembrance Center in Jerusalem and The
Jewish Life Foundation, which funds the creation of
Jewish-themed cultural and educational programs on
Jewish Life Television (JLTV)
hosted their fourth annual benefit gala, Salute
to Hollywood, June 14, 2017 at
The Beverly Wilshire Hotel, Beverly Hills. The evening
honored the late Edita and Abraham Spiegel Family
represented by daughter, Rita Spiegel; the feature film Denial; and
world-renowned musician, singer and famed KISS co-founder,
Gene Simmons and his mother, Holocaust survivor Flora Klein.
Karen Sandler Chaired, Elissa and Edward Czuker, Co-Chaired.
Event Chair, Karen Sandler
welcomed the more than 550 guests before Lenny Wilf,
Chairman of The American Society for Yad Vashem, was
welcomed to the stage. Wilf enumerated the myriad programs
in addition to the landmark Holocaust history museum,
comprehensive archives and international school for
Holocaust studies fostered by Yad Vashem, ensuring that the
atrocities committed by the Nazis and their collaborators
are never forgotten nor repeated. He made particular note
of the ongoing support of the Hollywood community, which
“has for many years been an essential partner, starting in
1945, the year that marked the end of World War II and the
liberation of the concentration camps, films and
documentaries dealing with the incomprehensible reality that
was the Holocaust were being produced.”
Wilf went on to announce an
eight-day international, multi-generational mission to
Vienna and Israel in July, 2018 marking Israel’s 70th
anniversary year. The historic program will be presented by
the American Society of Yad Vashem in partnership with Yad
Vashem.
Consul General of Israel in Los
Angeles, Sam Grundwerg also paid homage to the entertainment
capital, noting “We salute Hollywood to show appreciation
for those who use their God-given talents and voice to
insure that the stories, lessons and truths of the the
Holocaust will never be forgotten…will never be twisted,
distorted or denied. In this room tonight, we bridge a
powerful nexus of Hollywood and legacy.”
Especially moving was the
recognition of the 35 Holocaust survivors attending. Bill
Bernstein, Western Region Director of Institutional
Advancement of The American Society for Yad Vashem, based in
the organization’s newly opened West Coast flagship,
introduced Max Webb, the oldest Holocaust survivor in Los
Angeles. Bernstein noted, “For me, at this challenging time
in world history, Yad Vashem takes on a very special meaning
and responsibility. It is through the lessons learned from
the Holocaust that we must remain vigilant in reminding the
world that it is incumbent on us…that without concerted
effort from every corner of this earth, this terrible human
tragedy will continue to rear its ugly head.”
Phil Blazer, Founder and
President of JLTV, introduced his long-time friend and a
Holocaust survivor, Jack Nagel, who recited the HaMotzi
blessing. Blazer, celebrating over five decades in media,
reflected on the powerful platform that JLTV has
demonstrated in telling the stories of Holocaust survivors
and the deep commitment that these heroes have shown in
becoming vital parts of their communities.
Following video messages from
celebrated attorney and legal scholar, Alan Dershowitz and
Deborah Lipstadt, author of the book “History on Trial:
My Day in Court With a Holocaust Denier” on which the
feature film Denial was based, Jonathan King,
Executive Vice-President of Participant Media, presented
The Vanguard Award to Denial producer Gary
Foster. “We have been overwhelmed by the response to the
film,” said Foster, “Deborah’s story has moved people to
tears and emboldened them to speak out. We live in a world
where facts mean nothing and false narratives are
everywhere. So how do we differentiate between truth and
lies?” he continued, “That is why we need places like Yad
Vashem. It gives us our best chance to make an impact on
future generations.”
Ron Meier, American Society of
Yad Vashem Executive Director, paid special tribute to the
Spiegel Family, heralding their building of the Children’s
Memorial at Yad Vashem as Edita and Abraham’s “crowning
achievement. What they built changed the face of Yad Vashem,
memorialized their first son Uziel, murdered in Auschwitz,
and all of the children who perished in the Shoah and proved
to be an inestimable gift to the Jewish people and all
humanity.”
Dr. Miriam and Sheldon Adelson,
long-time friends of the late Edita and Abraham Spiegel,
presented The Lifetime Achievement Award to Rita
Spiegel on behalf of the entire Spiegel family. Noted
Sheldon Adelson, “Miri and I visited Yad Vashem and the
Children’s Memorial in the late 1980’s and were incredibly
moved. Abe and Edita’s unique contribution was a catalyst
for us. When we returned home, I contacted Abe and we began
to deepen our relationship along with our commitment to Yad
Vashem. Rita has continued her family’s support of the work
of Yad Vashem and the maintenance of the Children’s
Memorial,” he continued, “She demonstrated her commitment to
Israel and the Jewish people through her leadership in
philanthropy, education and community activities, while
living in Southern California and during the fourteen years
she spent in Israel.”
In accepting the award, Rita
echoed the words that her father had spoken at the
dedication of the Childen’s Memorial, “Inside this building
is a chamber illuminated by one and a half million separate
points of light. Each little light symbolizes the soul of a
Jewish child prematurely snuffed out. The mirrors reflect
and multiply the lights to infinity, to remind us that not
only did these children perish, but with them, their
offspring, whom they would have parented. These eternal
lights will not bring back all those children – those ruined
lives. All it can serve is as a concrete reminder that this
great evil could happen – did happen – and must never happen
again.”
Leonard Wilf returned to the
stage to present The Legacy Award to Gene Simmons,
accepting the honor for himself and his mother, Holocaust
survivor Flora Klein. “While achieving exceptional success
in America,” said Wilf, “Gene still considers Israel his
home. He returned there in 2011 for the first time since
leaving as a child and has been a lifelong ardent supporter
of Israel. He has been a vocal advocate for Israel in
public and within the entertainment community. In 2006,
Gene made headlines by sending a televised message to a
wounded Israeli soldier, calling him a ‘hero’.”
THE SPIEGEL FAMILY
Abraham Spiegel’s story is a
testament to one man’s ability to triumph in the face of
despair…a chronicle of Jewish pride and the will to excel.
Born in Munkacs, a city in Eastern Czechoslovakia, the fifth
of nine children, Spiegel developed his love for Jewish
studies and his business acumen from his father, an astute
businessman and scholar. His mother instilled in all her
children the need to care for the less fortunate in their
community. Every Friday
afternoon, she set a large
communal table, inviting all who needed a hot meal to
attend. Her open table became legendary. Early on, Abraham
demonstrated his leadership qualities, becoming the
president of a Hebrew library and the study group in the
first Hebrew college in Czechoslovakia and in his 20s
becoming a partner in his family’s successful sawmill. In
1940, Abraham married Edita Rozenwasser. Because of the
Nuremberg laws, preventing them from marrying in occupied
Czechoslovakia, the wedding took place in a town just over
the Hungarian border. After years of hiding, the family was
caught and forced into the Munkacs ghetto. In 1944,
Abraham, Edita and their two-and-a half year-old son Uziel,
along with Abraham’s parents, grandmother and brothers were
sent to Auschwitz. Half of the family perished, including
Abraham and Edita’s son. A daring escape orchestrated by
Abraham and a handful of prisoners miraculously landed them
in the hands of sympathetic partisans, allowing them to
survive the war. In April of 1945, the Russian army
liberated Auschwitz, with the Americans arriving shortly
thereafter. Edita was freed and made her way back to
Czechoslovakia where she was reunited with Abraham. A
second son, Thomas, was born in 1946. A week before the
Iron Curtain came down, the Spiegels left for the United
States, eventually settling in Southern California where
their daughter Rita was born. Together with Edita’s brother,
Milan Roven, Abraham formed Roven-Spiegel Construction
Company, eventually building over 10,000 homes for returning
veterans in Orange County and the San Fernando Valley. In
1958 he turned his sights on the banking world.
Over the years, the Spiegels
developed a long and lasting devotion to humanitarian
endeavors worldwide. As founding father of the West Coast
Friends of Bar-Ilan University in Beverly Hills, Abraham
Spiegel was instrumental in the success of one of Israel’s
premiere institutions of higher learning, founding their
Math and Computer Science building and their Chair in
Holocaust studies. Serving as Honorary Co-Chair of Bar-Ilan’s
International Board of Trustees, he received an Honorary
Doctor of Philosophy and was named Bar-Ilan’s Distinguished
Man of the Year in 1978. He brought Yeshiva University,
American Friends of Beit Hatfutsot and American Friends of
Tel Aviv University to the West Coast and established the
Chair of Modern European Jewish History at Tel Aviv
University. In addition to building the Spiegel wing of Beit
Hatfutsot, the museum of the Jewish people, which is on the
campus of Tel Aviv University, he was a founder of the U.S.
Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C.
Edita Spiegel was a passionate
supporter of the Jewish Home for the Aging in addition to
countless Jewish and non-Jewish charities, all of which
benefited from the generosity of the Spiegels. Their
commitment to preserving the past and educating future
generations of children through Holocaust remembrance, as
well as their devotion to humanitarian endeavors and
traditional values has been passed on to their children, Tom
and Rita. One of their most powerful and lasting
contributions to world Jewry and humanity is the Children’s
Memorial at Yad Vashem. They considered this the most
important monument they ever built. The astounding project
bears witness to the 1.5 million children killed by the
Nazis, including their son, Uziel z”l. Conceived by noted
Israeli architect, Moshe Safdie, the underground memorial
features five candles, multiplied by 500 strategically
placed mirrors, reflecting a million and a half points of
light, representing each child lost. With the recorded
sounds of all documented names and birthplaces of children
who perished in the war permeating the solitude, visitors
are brought to a captivating and ethereal place.
GENE SIMMONS AND FLORA KLEIN
Legacy Award honoree Gene
Simmons’ career spans more than 40 years, having made his
mark on virtually all areas of the entertainment industry…as
a multi- award-winning musician, singer, songwriter, record
producer, writer, actor, television personality,
entrepreneur and philanthropist. Best known to generations
of rock fans for his stage persona: The Demon, in the iconic
band KISS, America’s #1 Gold Record Award Winning group of
all time, in all categories (RIAA), Simmons has parlayed his
creative vision, entrepreneurial acumen and over-the-top
personality into a cultural touchpoint. Most recently, he
has shared his personal life with his wife, actress Shannon
Tweed, son Nick and daughter Sophie in the highly-rated
reality TV show Gene
Simmons Family Jewels.
Born Chaim Witz in Haifa,
Israel, he emigrated with his mother, fellow Legacy Award
honoree Flora Klein to New York City at the age of eight.
Simmons became aware of his family’s connection to the
Holocaust, only after doing his own research. His mother
never spoke of it. At 14, Flora Klein and her family were
interned in a Nazi concentration camp. She watched as her
mother and grandmother walked into the gas chamber. She and
her brother, Larry Klein, were the only members of the
family who lived. Flora survived the death camps because
she had gone to beauty school and had some hairstyling and
make-up skills. The commandant’s wife took a liking to her,
appreciating her talents. Flora’s saga of survival
continued, later supporting her young son and herself as a
single parent in a strange new country. She continues to
remain a major force in her son’s life.
In 2011, Gene Simmons visited
his home country, Israel, describing the trip as “a life
changing experience.” Simmons has proclaimed his intense
connection with his birthplace, and while visiting Yad
Vashem, he was able to learn more about his family’s
experience during the Holocaust. Mr. Simmons is dedicated to
Holocaust remembrance and to the important work of Yad
Vashem, understanding that their efforts will help to ensure
that such events will never occur again.
“DENIAL” Based
on the acclaimed book History
on Trial: My Day in Court with a Holocaust Denier, the
feature film Denial recounts
the true story of Deborah E. Lipstadt’s legal battle for
historical truth against David Irving, who accused her of
libel after she declared him a Holocaust denier. Produced
by Gary Foster and Russ Krasnoff and directed by Mick
Jackson from a screenplay by David Hare, Denial was
released in 2016, starring Rachel Weisz as Deborah E.
Lipstadt and Timothy Spall as David Irving.
THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR YAD
VASHEM was
established 36 years ago by a group of Holocaust survivors
to advance the crucial efforts of Yad Vashem through
Holocaust education, traveling exhibitions, programming for
the next generation and philanthropy. Since its
establishment, ASYV has grown from a handful of dedicated
members to over 65,000 passionate supporters throughout the
United States. Its second permanent office outside of New
York opened in Los Angeles in January, 2016. www.yadvashemusa.org
JEWISH LIFE FOUNDATON funds
the creation of Jewish-themed cultural and educational
programs that are broadcast on Jewish Life Television (JLTV).
Its mission is to promote education and understanding among
cultures worldwide by utilizing all facets of the media to
provide community outreach programs, educational programs,
and cultural events that embrace, celebrate and share Jewish
values and traditions. This gala will help fund the new
documentary Holocaust
Survivors: They Helped Build America. www.jltv.tv
ABOUT YAD VASHEM
Since its founding sixty-four
years ago, Yad Vashem, The World Holocaust Remembrance
Center in Jerusalem, has become synonymous with Holocaust
remembrance throughout the world. Courageously confronting
the annals of Nazi evil, it serves as the conscience of
humanity and the voice of the Jewish people in the vital
endeavor to transmit the history and the significance of the
Holocaust to future generations. With the help and support
of its generous donors, Yad Vashem stands as the
international community’s preeminent institution at the
forefront of Holocaust education, commemoration,
documentation, and research. As the responsibility for
preserving the memory of the Holocaust passes from the
remaining survivors to younger generations, Yad Vashem’s
landmark Museum, designed by world-renowned architect Moshe
Safdie, the International School for Holocaust Studies, the
Archives, and Research Institute provide the world with
essential knowledge and insight regarding the cataclysmic
events of the period. The Holocaust History Museum is one of
the most visited tourist destinations in Israel, drawing
dignitaries from around the world and close to a million
visitors annually. With unsurpassed skill and experience,
Yad Vashem succeeds in instilling the memory of the
Holocaust with depth and meaning, thus helping to ensure
that the memory of the victims and the voices of the
survivors will resonate and inspire for generations to come.www.yadvashem.org
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