Lifestyle

The Smidt Foundation Grants $5 Million for Holocaust Museum LA Expansion

The expansion will double Holocaust Museum LA’s existing footprint in Pan Pacific Park, increase visitor capacity and educational programs to greater numbers of students and schools, and incorporate cutting-edge technology to preserve and present Holocaust survivor testimonies.  

Jewish National Fund-USA Holds Annual Luncheon in Beverly Hills

The event was chaired by Dr. Marcia Selz, Laura Stein, and JNF-USA Los Angeles Co-President, Susie Toczek.

Sing for Hope Piano Dedicated at BHHS

On April 27, Mayor Lili Bosse, members of the Arts and Culture and Human Relations Commissions, BHUSD Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy and artist Alexandra Nechita attended a ribbon cutting ceremony dedicating the Sing for Hope piano created by Nechita to the Beverly Hills High School Music Program.

Jaqueline Avant’s Murderer Sentenced to 190 Years

Aariel Maynor, the 30-year-old who pleaded guilty to killing Beverly Hills philanthropist Jaqueline Avant, has been sentenced to 190 years to life for Avant’s murder and the attempted murder of her security guard on Dec. 1.

Nazarian Center Holds 10th Anniversary Gala

The event celebrated the Center’s work to promote the study of modern Israel by sponsoring UCLA courses, public programs, academic research, and hosting visiting Israeli scholars, writers, and artists.

The New Audrey Irmas Pavilion Illuminates Wilshire Boulevard Temple

With the approach of Passover, the much-anticipated addition to the Wilshire Boulevard Temple takes on special significance.

Jane Jelenko Honored by US Holocaust Memorial Museum

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum honored Jane Jelenko of Los Angeles with its National Leadership Award for her contributions to preserving Holocaust history and for rallying against antisemitism, genocide and Holocaust denial on March 30 at The Beverly Hilton Hotel.

Hamantashen Swap at Roxbury Park

The Lev Eishah Hadassah Board got together for a Hamantashen Swap at Roxbury Park on March 13.

Jewish Federation Luncheon

The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles held its 2022 Chai/Emerald/Zahav, Ruby & Lion of Judah Luncheon at The Maybourne Beverly Hills.

Community Mourns Younes Nazarian

Beverly Hills Vice Mayor Lili Bosse, a close friend of the Nazarian family, described Younes as a “guardian angel on this earth.” 

Pop-Up Designer Event in Beverly Hills Aids UNICEF

New York based fashion designer Lily Clempson and Rayni Williams, co-founder of The Beverly Hills Estates, hosted a pop-up shopping event at Williams’ Beverly Hills home on March 7.

Rotary Holds Blanket Drive

The Rotary Club of Beverly Hills held a so-called community unity project on Feb. 7 to collect blankets, toiletries, and other necessities for those in need.

Rotary Blanket Drive Brings Warmth to Community

The Rotary Club of Beverly Hills will hold a blanket drive Feb. 7 from 3 to 4 p.m. outside the Beverly Hills Fire Department.

Avant’s Legacy Will Live On In Watts

When Jacqueline Avant, the late wife of producer Clarence Avant, moved to Los Angeles from New York, she started her philanthropic journey in the Watts/Willowbrook neighborhood of South Los Angeles.

Avant Memorial Fund Announced

Avant, the wife of producer Clarence Avant and Los Angeles philanthropist, was shot and killed in her Beverly Hills home on Dec. 1 at age 81. The family also announced that a special memorial will be held for Avant after the holiday season, with details forthcoming.

Guerin Gives $100 Million to Cedars-Sinai

Beverly Hills philanthropist and theatre producer Vera Guerin has made the single largest donation in Cedars-Sinai Medical Center’s 100-year history, according to the nonprofit hospital.

Beverly Hills High School Music Center Hits a High Note

Libow’s donation paid for the latest equipment and new instruments, bringing the music center to a higher level of professionalism, school staff told the Courier. 

Beverly Hills Charity Food Truck Feeds Homeless

“We started at the very beginning of the pandemic when there were people hoarding food and food shortages, and I just noticed that there was a need,” Benioff told the Courier. 

Charities Overcome the Pandemic

“It’s a roasted turkey breast and we’re using a light poultry gravy that’s adjusted for calories and salt content, but it’s still good nonetheless. And then we have a roasted vegetable we’re serving on the side, and then peas with roasted pearl onions,” Gordon said.

Wealth of Spirit: Giving at Holiday Time

If, as Albert Einstein famously said, “The value of a man resides in what he gives,” then Beverly Hills is a city of great worth.

Women’s Guild Cedars-Sinai Holds Annual Gala

The evening was hosted by actor and comedian Bob Saget, with entertainment from singer Pia Toscano.

Jaime Lee Curtis Interviews Rep. Adam Schiff About Memoir

The representative, whose district stretches from part of West Hollywood to Pasadena, played a pivotal role in the opposition to President Donald Trump, leading the prosecution in Trump’s first impeachment trial.

Friday Night Lights in Beverly Hills

Project Angel Food executive director Richard Ayoub told the Courier that the event—the non-profit’s first in 19 months—represented a celebration of weathering unprecedented times.

Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles Makes Awards to Support Pandemic Recovery

Avram Mandell, Executive Director and Founder of Tzedek America, noted the importance of the Reimagine Grant to the organization’s Racial Justice Experience project. 

Organizations Helping Afghani Refugees

Several organizations in southern California and beyond are working to ease the burdens for thousands of Afghan refugees coming into the U.S. The Courier has compiled a list of organizations providing aid as a resource for those wishing to do the same. 

El Nido Celebrates Garden Gala Sept. 11

“It’s important to celebrate El Nido’s work throughout the pandemic and strengthen the road ahead for our families,” Chair of the Garden Gala and El Nido Board Member, Meredith Messer Fried, said. “El Nido has continued and expanded their vital services during this critical time. I believe this event will provide much needed funding for L.A.’s critical safety net and provide a healing and celebratory experience for guests and supporters who are finally able to come together.”

Amanda Foundation Spreads Love in Beverly Hills

“One of the nicest things about being part of this community is I’ll have some woman come in the door – she’s like 30 and she’ll have a 6-year-old with her, and she’ll say, ‘I got my puppy from you when I was eight,’” Austin said. “And that happens a lot.” 

Beverly Hills Awards CAGF Grants To Social Service Nonprofits

“These grants are very important in providing vital services to our community’s most vulnerable members, including, but not limited to, our seniors, low-income residents, those experiencing food insecurity, and unhoused individuals,” Evans told the Courier.

Visionary Women

Hertz is a renowned thought leader, academic, and broadcaster.

Flowers for a Good Cause in Beverly Hills

“And we all owe a debt of gratitude to BHPD, who has worked tirelessly this year to keep us all safe and protected.”

Tower Cancer Research Foundation Raises Close to $1 Million Dollars

Dr. Hamburg also serves as the longtime and dedicated President of Tower Cancer Research Foundation.  The Tower community came together in an overwhelming show of generosity and support, raising over $940,000 and the foundation expects to meet its $1,000,000 Gala goal in the next several days.

Annenberg Foundation Awards $25 Million Grant for Wildlife Crossing

“Annenberg early on saw the visionary merit of this, not just to the mountain lions but to the whole ecosystem,” Pratt told the Courier. “This $25 million gift is just another signal that will get us to the finish line.”

Beverly Hills Loses Anne Douglas at 102

Over the years, Anne Douglas received countless recognitions of appreciation. One of the most meaningful was the Jefferson Award for Greatest Public Service of a Private Citizen, which she received at the Kennedy Center in Washington in 2003.

Councilmember Lili Bosse Recalls Her Holocaust Survivor Mother in March 23 Webinar

“One of the things we focus on is the positive impact survivors have had on their own children and families. We discussed this internally and want to focus more on this. Our goal is to share the intergenerational impact of survivors and highlight second generations success stories,” Kean said. 

Epic Visionary Women Summit For International Women’s Day

Visionary Women Co-Founder and Beverly Hills Councilperson Lili Bosse told the Courier, “Today’s summit was the quickest two hours I have ever experienced.

Schlessinger Elected Chairman of Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles Board

“With The Foundation’s rich history and track record of support for Jewish causes locally, in Israel and around the world, as well as across the general community, its mission has never been more important than during these challenging times where need is greater than ever.

Good Deeds Ring in New Year

Community goodwill also took center stage the first weekend of 2021.

A Season of Giving

As 2020 comes to a close, the Beverly Hills Courier would like to recognize a number of entities that have impacted the lives of our community.

Spirit of Hope Lunch Will Take Place Virtually

Funds raised at this year’s luncheon will support Tower Cancer Research Foundation’s work in the areas of both cancer research and patient support.

Petersen Automotive Museum Gala Raises Record Funds

“Our 26th Annual Gala Celebration was our most successful gala to date,” said Petersen Automotive Museum Executive Director Terry L. Karges.

Beverly Hills Youth Earns Congressional Award Gold Medal

“For voluntary service, I did a few things. I tutored through one of Beverly Hills’ After-School Programs.

Visionary Women to Feature “Tiger Mom” Author Amy Chua in Virtual Salon

Chua has lectured widely around the world, including at the World Bank, the Aspen Ideas Festival, the Brookings Institution, the World Knowledge Forum in Seoul, and the World Economic Forum in Davos.

How to Donate Now

WALLIS ANNENBERG A Rare Conversation With Our Community Builder and Visionary

“If (my father) were sitting here now, he’d probably say: make sure you don’t do it the way I did. Do it your own way. And I think that’s right.”