A brainy solution
President Obama came to San Francisco on April 3 touting his new $100 million brain research initiative (among other things) and inadvertently created chaos for an Israeli scientist known for his groundbreaking work in evaluating brain function.
Professor Alon Friedman of Ben-Gurion University was slated to speak at the Pacific Heights home of Arlene and Steve Krieger at an event hosted by the Northwest Region of American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. When the AABGU checked with a parking valet service, they learned that Obama would be at a private event at a home near the Kriegers’ and the entire area would be blocked off to both cars and people that evening.
Congregation Sherith Israel came to the rescue, filling in as the event host. Among the guests were the synagogue’s president Dr. Valerie Jahan and Dr. Thierry Jahan. Friedman recently gained attention for using special MRI imaging techniques to measure the brain function of former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who has been in a coma since suffering a stroke in January 2006.
Remembering the Shoah
More than 200 people attended a commemoration of Yom HaShoah and the 70th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising on April 7 at the JCC of San Francisco. During the concluding program, Jewish Family and Children’s Services executive director Anita Friedman recalled the evenings when, as a girl, she would see her father sit out behind their home watching the fireflies. “I knew what was in his heart,” she told the crowd. “He was thinking of my sister and his mother — my grandmother — who died at Treblinka. And his infant son, who died in the Warsaw Ghetto.” The message she takes from these memories? “Cherish life. Don’t hate. Be a community that takes care of and protects its members.”
Galas galore
With Tax Day behind us, it’s time to bring supporters together to celebrate community agencies. Among them: the Power of One, the S.F.–based Jewish Community Federation Women’s Philanthropy event on May 1 at the Palace of Fine Arts. It will feature filmmaker Tiffany Shlain, with Kathy Williams and Tracy Stettner co-chairing. Visit my.jewishfed.org/PowerOfOne2013 for details and reservations … Williams, along with her husband, Don Williams, are co-chairing San Francisco Hillel’s Casino Night on May 4. A highlight is the Irwin Bear Poker Tournament, named for the late supporter of the organization. If you want to learn Texas Hold ’Em, lessons begin at 7 p.m. Visit www.sfhillel.org … The Osher Marin JCC invites you to “journey with James Sokol through live performance and nostalgic video clips” at “Celebrating Broadway: A Journey of Love” on May 5. Wendy Grossman and Susan Lachtman co-chair the event, which features Broadway performer Kimilee Bryant and benefits the JCC’s adult and senior programs. Tickets are available at marinjcc.org/celebration.
Short shorts
Ricki Alon of Los Altos Hills has been named to the national board of the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces. She chairs the San Francisco Bay Area chapter of FIDF … Judy Huret, vice-chair of the San Francisco firm Huret, Rothenberg & Co., will be honored at the World Learning Social Innovation Summit and Citation Award Dinner on June 5 … Julian Prolman, a 2002 alum of Brandeis Hillel Day School in San Rafael, is launching the Ministry of Tomorrow (MOT), a fashion brand with products made in impoverished villages in Africa. The official launch is an Afrofunk/world music event on April 26 at the Lodge at the Regency Ballroom. Visit www.ministryoftomorrow.com for details.
This columnist can be reached at [email protected].