Josh Malina: The man, the myth, the mensch – and a great evening for all

Joshua Malina speaks to The Alliance crowd. /Andre Blais

On Dec. 7, approximately 250 enthusiastic community members gathered at Temple Emanu-El to celebrate the success of the Jewish Alliance’s 2015 Annual Campaign.

Susan and Ed Odessa and Judy and Mayer Levitt co-chaired the event. Judy Levitt announced she just happens to be a distant cousin of Joshua Malina, the evening’s keynote speaker.

A Hollywood actor and passionate advocate for the Jewish community, Malina shared his experiences on how to remain a mensch in Hollywood and entertained an admiring audience with stories about his Jewish upbringing, his career as an actor and the intersection of his personal and professional lives.

His stories ranged from funny (he credits performing the Heimlich maneuver on Aaron Sorkin for kick-starting his acting career) to inspirational (he begins each day reciting the Modeh Ani with his family), and he addressed everything from his education at Westchester Day School and Yale University to his career in Hollywood. He also discussed the important life lessons and Jewish values he learned from his parents that have built the foundation for his successes and have contributed to his advocacy for the Jewish community.

Malina also touched on his experience being the entertainment industry’s lone representative at a 2001 rally for Israel’s right to exist. He said he does not understand why Israel has little celebrity backing. “Certainly, it’s OK to be critical of Israel though Israel most definitely has a right to exist. But it can be very lonely work trying to support Israel in Hollywood,” he stated.

In addition to Malina, the community listened to a presentation by Danyelle Neuman, managing director of Fundraising and Resource Development at the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), who shared information about the impact and importance of personal contributions to programs and services overseas. Neuman shared stories from around the world where JAFI is the Jewish world’s first responder, prepared to address emergencies while connecting the global Jewish family through meaningful engagement.

Prior to the main event, two receptions were held for Pacesetter donors and younger leadership.

Ron Markoff and Ralph Posner co-chaired the Pacesetter reception, which honors donors who contribute $10,000 or more to the Campaign. At the reception, Vice Chair of Philanthropy Mitzi Berkelhammer told attendees, “Your generous support at the Pacesetter level enables us to create positive, life-changing results for people in need, to strengthen Jewish identity and to ensure the future of the Jewish community.”

Markoff wrapped up the reception with a poem addressing the evening’s main goal, “…The Alliance cannot operate without your gift / We cannot afford to have a rift / So when Ralph and Ron ask you for money / Remember it is for the Land of Milk and Honey.”

Just across the hall was the young leadership reception, where co-chairs Steven and Emily Shalansky introduced the Jewish Alliance’s newest level of giving known as the Young Leaders Double Chai Society. This group will seek to create a more committed, more engaged group of philanthropically inclined NextGeners.

The main event was kicked off by Board Chair Sharon Gaines: “We are part of 150 Federations in North America that raise and distribute over $3 billion annually for social welfare, social services and educational needs. The Federation movement, collectively among the top 10 charities on the continent, protects and enhances the well-being of Jews worldwide. We have a thriving JCC with a state-of-the-art health club, an early childhood center with a waiting list, and excellent arts and cultural programs. Our (401)j group draws young adults from across the state. And our Living on the Edge initiative has raised over $1.2 million to directly assist people in our community who are financially vulnerable. We have a $58 million Foundation that is rapidly growing, and I’m pleased to announce that as of this week, the annual campaign has surpassed $2 million. Now I invite you to get involved!”

This event celebrates the greater Rhode Island community’s 2015 Annual Campaign, which provides financial resources to support local and overseas programs and services for the most vulnerable populations and sustains Jewish life.

Government representatives at the gathering were Congressman David Cicilline, State Representative  Aaron Regunberg, State Representative Mia Ackerman, State Senator Joshua Miller and Providence Police Chief Colonel Hugh Clements Jr.

Passionate and uplifting, Malina closed his remarks with a call to the community, “Hazak Hazak V’nitkhazek! Be strong! Be strong! And may we be strengthened.”

JENNIFER ZWIRN is in Grants and Philanthropy at the Jewish Alliance.