American Friends of the Hebrew University Premiere 'A Chocolate Affaire' at the Infamous Bugsy Siegel Mansion in Beverly Hills
Saturday September 18, 12:00 pm ET
Exclusive Event Raises Funds to Support Student Scholarships at The Hebrew
University
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 18, 2004-- Tonight, American
Friends of The Hebrew University (AFHU) premieres an exclusive fundraising
event, "A Chocolate Affaire," at the infamous private "Bugsy
Siegel Mansion" in Beverly Hills. Nearly 250 special guests have
an opportunity to indulge in an extravagant evening of chocolate tasting
and cocktails while enjoying the cool jazz of the renowned Billy Mitchell
Group. The event raises much-needed funds to support student scholarships
at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem through corporate and private sponsorships,
silent and live auctions, plus an opportunity drawing.
Among the evening's distinguished guests are Emmy Award winning writers
and acclaimed stage and film actors Renee Taylor and her husband, Joe
Bologna, as well as feature film and television actor Eugene Byrd and
daytime television's "Passions" cast member Cathy Jeneen Doe.
Richard S. Ziman, president of Arden Realty, is this year's honorary chairman for A Chocolate Affaire. Western Region Scholarship chairperson, Renae Jacobs-Anson, along with her husband David Anson, DDS, Dr. Gerald Niznick and Drs. Joel Aronowitz and Fiona Chalom serve as event co-chairs for this inaugural scholarship fundraising event.
The Campaign for Students is a multifaceted, international fundraising effort. The organization's Western region is leading the way in ensuring that The Hebrew University's 24,000 students have the resources they need in order to become tomorrow's leaders and innovators in Israel and around the world. American Friends is committed to providing scholarship assistance to financially disadvantaged students, enabling them to complete undergraduate, graduate and post-doctoral studies.
"Current realities have strained the resources of most Israelis to the limit and students' need for financial aid is therefore greater than ever," Jacobs-Anson explained. "A Chocolate Affaire brings together local leaders, friends and supporters to provide students from around the world with academic opportunities to enable them to study at The Hebrew University," she added.
"Founded in 1925, The Hebrew University is a world-renowned institution that maintains a strong reputation for its ability to provide the Israeli and global communities with highly educated, well-trained professionals. These exceptionally bright and dedicated students will become the leaders of tomorrow and we are pleased to be able to play a role in their education," said Richard S. Ziman, Chairman of the Board for the Western Region, American Friends of The Hebrew University.
The evening's program features brief remarks and a check presentation by the Spiegel family, life long friends and supporters of The Hebrew University. An exciting live auction with once-in-a-lifetime opportunities include flying on a private jet to Las Vegas with first class accommodations at the Las Vegas Hilton; a Qantas Airways Australian getaway featuring two round trip Business class tickets to Sydney with a four-night stay at the beautiful Quay West Suites; an original oil painting by world renowned artist Suzanne Marie; an Adrienne Landau designed chocolate brown Rex knitted poncho donated by Edwards-Lowell, among other must-have luxury items. Adding even more excitement, Gordon Becker of Becker Time generously donated a 9.25-carat white gold diamond tennis bracelet for the opportunity drawing.
To make "A Chocolate Affaire" a most sumptuous experience, some of the most prestigious chocolatiers and vendors offer their best sweet and savory delights to guests. Beacon Restaurant, Canter's Deli, Diddy Riese, F. Gavina & Sons, Joseph Schmidt Confections, Kangaroo Gold Chocolates, Leonidas Belgian Chocolate, Luctor International/Van Gogh Vodka, Melfer's Macaroons, Don Sebastiani & Sons, See's Candy Shops, SerendipiTea, Teuscher Chocolates and Trader Joe's all provided generous tastes of their signature products. As a perfect culmination to the evening, each guest receives a beautiful gift bag created by It's In The Bag full of chocolate-themed products from Bar Method, Broadway Books, Chocolatier Magazine, Demeter Fragrance, Don Francisco Coffee Traders, The Good Home Co., Jillery, Primal Elements, Sol Chicks, Soul Scents and Van Gogh Vodka.
Dedicated to education and The Hebrew University student scholarship campaign, major sponsors include ABM Industries, Arden Realty, The Rosalind and Arthur Gilbert Foundation, Milken Family Foundation, and a host of generous private donors and American Friends supporters. Additional support is being provided by Sharp Image Printing, Qantas Airways, Tourism New South Wales, Edward-Lowell and many generous others.
American Friends of The Hebrew University is a national, not-for-profit organization, which provides programs, events and fundraising activities to support The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel's foremost center of higher education and research. Forging a meaningful partnership between American Jewry and the people of Israel, AFHU helps to ensure the nation's well being by nurturing Israel's greatest asset - the intellectual strength of its people.
For more information about American Friends of The Hebrew University or to participate in the student scholarship campaign, please visit the Web site at www.afhu.org.
Note to Editors: Post-event photos and interviews are available upon request.
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Contact:
Agnes Huff Communications Group, LLC
Agnes Huff, PhD, or Anna Jerden, 310-641-2525
ahuff@ahuffgroup.com
or
American Friends of The Hebrew University
Elana Castelli, 212-472-9800 x261