ALEF 2010

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American Friends of The Hebrew University’s Western Region hosted the highly successful Annual Leadership Education Forum (ALEF), January 17 at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles. Co-chaired by David A. Lehrer and Mark Vidergauz, this year’s ALEF theme celebrated The Hebrew University of Jerusalem: Building a Brighter Future through Knowledge, Imagination & Innovation. An elite cadre of experts composed of leading Hebrew University faculty and alumni, as well as US and Israeli leaders in higher education, government and public affairs, held panels on the U.S., Israel and Islam, the future of brain research and on anti-Semitism. ALEF attendees also heard about the future of Hebrew University from its new president, Professor Menahem Ben-Sasson. Prof. Ben-Sasson also paid special tribute to AFHU Western Region past president, Dr. Jerry Sudarsky (z’l), an outstanding proponent of The Hebrew University, in memory and recognition of his lifetime achievement and support for Israel. Kenneth Turan, author and film critic for the Los Angeles Times and NPR, was the afternoon keynote speaker at ALEF. Mr. Turan provided insights and observations about Israeli cinema and the country’s emerging top films.

Read ALEF co-chair and panelist, David A. Lehrer's blog post, Nuanced Views of the World in the Jewish Journal of Los Angeles online.

ALEF 2010 (01)
Credit: Robert Lurie, Photographer
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From left: ALEF Co-chair & panelist David A. Lehrer, ALEF Co-chair Mark Vidergauz, Western Region Vice Chairman Patricia Glaser, Hebrew University President Prof. Menahem Ben-Sasson, Western Region Chairman Richard Ziman
ALEF 2010 (02)
Credit: Robert Lurie, Photographer
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The Honorable Jacob Dayan, Israel Consul General to Los Angeles, welcomed guests to ALEF.
ALEF 2010 (03)
Credit: Robert Lurie, Photographer
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Northwest Region President Eric Stein, Peter Stein, Hebrew University President Prof. Menahem Ben-Sasson, National Board Member Kenneth Stein
ALEF 2010 (04)
Credit: Robert Lurie, Photographer
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From left: Dr. Omar M. Kader, Ambassador Efraim Halevy, and Prof. Moshe Ma’oz discuss Middle East Affairs on the panel: A Dissonant Trio: Islam, Israel and the United States
ALEF 2010 (05)
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AFHU Western Region Board Member Brindell Gottlieb (far left) presents Brain Research panelists (from left) Prof. Hermona Soreq (Hebrew University), Dr. Antonio Damasio (USC), Prof. Terrence Sejnowski (Salk Institute), Prof. Eilon Vaadia (Hebrew University)
ALEF 2010 (06)
Credit: Robert Lurie, Photographer
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From left: ALEF panelists Prof. Robert Wistrich (Hebrew University), David A. Lehrer, and Prof. Michael Berenbaum (American Jewish University), discuss AntiSemitism: A Curable or Lethal Obsession?
ALEF 2010 (07)
Credit: Robert Lurie, Photographer
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From left: Hebrew University President Prof. Menahem Ben-Sasson, Milly Sudarsky, wife of the late Dr. Jerry Sudarsky, with daughter Deborah Nonberg and Dr. Arnold Thackray, following a special lifetime achievement recognition tribute to Dr. Sudarsky.
ALEF 2010 (08)
Credit: Robert Lurie, Photographer
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From left: Mid-West Region President Daniel Schlessinger, Marcy Schlessinger, Hebrew University President, Prof. Menahem Ben-Sasson, Hebrew University Vice President for External Relations, Carmi Gillon
ALEF 2010 (09)
Credit: Robert Lurie, Photographer
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Vidal Sassoon, introduced the panel, AntiSemitism: A Curable or Lethal Obsession? Vidal Sassoon is an AFHU Western Region Board member and AFHU Honorary Vice President. He is also an Honorary Governor of the Hebrew University Board of Governors.
ALEF 2010 (10)
Credit: Robert Lurie, Photographer
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Hebrew University Meldola Fellows, Keren Shahar, Avi Fellner and Bella Geishis. The fellowship program is funded by Marc and Jane Nathanson.
ALEF 2010 (11)
Credit: Robert Lurie, Photographer
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Hebrew University President Prof. Menahem Ben-Sasson joins AFHU Honorary Chairman and Honorary President Ira Lee Sorkin at the podium.