News & Updates: Israel Film Festival Honorees
The 35th annual Israel Film Festival (IFF) held its sponsor luncheon at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills on April 29.
The afternoon gathering honored real estate investor, philanthropist and Holocaust survivor David Wiener with the IFF Humanitarian Award and actor Henry Winkler with the IFF Career Achievement Award.
Winkler, known for his role as Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli on the legendary television series “Happy Days” and more recently for his Emmy-winning stint on HBO’s “Barry,” was touched by the acknowledgment. Accepting his award before a crowd of family members, community leaders and others, he declared, “I am a proud Jew!”
The 76-year-old performer also spoke about time spent recently in Israel working on a new television show, having only kind words to say about the Jewish State.
Those in attendance included IFF Founder and Director Meir Fenigstein, who said he was pleased to bring back the festival after a nearly two-year hiatus caused by the pandemic. Other participants were Consul General of Israel in Los Angeles Hillel Newman; comedian Elon Gold, who emceed the program; and actors Don Most and Anson Williams, who both starred with Winkler on “Happy Days.”
Delivering the funny, Gold joked about those in the banquet room spreading both the love for Israel and the latest COVID-19 variant.
Singer Sharon Farber also turned out. During a rousing musical performance, Fenigstein, a musician in a previous life, accompanied Farber onstage while playing a percussive instrument.
Actor Mark Feuerstein and philanthropist-activist Daphna Ziman, respectively, presented Winkler and Wiener with their awards.
The luncheon was held a few days before the official kickoff to the Israel Film Festival, the largest showcase of Israeli entertainment in the United States, opens May 5 at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills and continues through May 26. During the three-week hybrid festival, Israeli feature films, documentaries and television series will show at various theaters across Los Angeles as well as online. For more information, visit israelfilmfestival.com.
