A PERSONAL REFLECTIONby Kelli Rigos | The Ivy PR
On Wednesday, September 18, 2024, ANU - Museum of the Jewish People, in partnership with the American Friends of ANU, held their annual gala in New York City. It was a celebration of the unparalleled Jewish spirit of hope and resilience. As guests mingled above sprawling views of Central Park, the gala’s atmosphere was filled with love, unity, and support for the Jewish people.
Held in an elegant ballroom at the Mandarin Oriental, the evening was infused with a sense of purpose and solidarity via a powerful and insightful program that reflected the night’s meaningful themes. The curated evening explored, in the museum’s inimitable fashion, both the myriad challenges facing the Jewish community and a profound sense of togetherness.
The gala welcomed a cross-generational swath of Jewish people ranging from Baruch College and Columbia University students, who were applauded for being on the “front lines” of the antisemitism Jews are facing today, to those who shared their personal memories of Israel’s formation. We couldn’t help but feel an immense amount of pride for our collective Jewish heritage, and hope for future generations to come.
As the night unfolded, we listened to distinguished speakers whose activism and commitment to Israel has been unwavering, beginning with empowering speeches by museum executives, Daniel S. Pincus, President of American Friends of ANU; Andrew Tisch, Co-Chair of the International Board of Trustees; Irina Nevzlin, Chair of the Board of Directors and Co-Chair of the International Board of Trustees; and CEO of ANU-America, Shulamith Bahat.
Renowned New York Times columnist Bret Stephens delivered the forceful keynote, addressing the link between Antisemitism and conspiracy theories, “Antisemitism-adjacent” ideologies, and the importance of remembering Jewish history in a post-October 7th world.“Every day must be October 8th,” he said. “That day when we realize not only the scale of the horror that had been inflicted on our Israeli cousins, but the indifference and the glee that so many Americans … felt at the greatest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust. My hope is that this needs to be a moment of awakening … about the state that American Jews find themselves in today.”
The event recognized the extraordinary contribution of Ambassador Alfred H. Moses in acquiring and returning the 1,100-year-old Codex Sassoon, the oldest and most complete Hebrew Bible, to Israel and to ANU. Ambassador Moses played a pivotal role in bringing back this invaluable manuscript to ANU in Israel, preserving Jewish heritage for generations to witness. We felt a sense of comfort to learn that the Codex Sassoon is now in its homeland. The sacred text serves as a bridge to all people who can visit the ANU Museum in Israel and witness a physical testament to Jewish resilience.
“There is a beautiful poetic justice that after its journey across continents and centuries, Codex Sassoon has found its home in the right place,” Israel’s President Isaac Herzog said in a video message at the event.
Renowned comedian Modi was honored and delighted us to an uplifting speech. In a year of so much pain, Modi reminded us that laughter is not optional. Just last month, ANU inducted Modi into what the Jerusalem Post called “ANU’s Jewish Humor Hall of Fame.” The event culminated with the entire room joining him in a moving rendition of Hatikvah. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room.
The museum also honored ChefWorks COO David Roth, the leading global manufacturer of chef uniforms and gear. whose response to the October 7 rally for material support in Israel was inspirational. Chef Works sent a large shipment of culinary gear to ANU which was immediately distributed to those who needed it most, reservists and chefs providing food to evacuees and soldiers across Israel. FOODISH, ANU’s culinary wing, proudly exhibited “Three Spoons of Oil and Two Brushes” to close out the program, featuring a stunning collection of chef jackets co-created by Israeli artists alongside renowned Jewish chefs from Israel and the U.S. The innovative collaboration was the canvas that reflected not only their culinary inspiration, but each of their personal stories of Judaism, displayed on one-of-a-kind chef jackets. Notable participants included New York Times best-selling cookbook author Jake Cohen, award-winning cookbook author and journalist Joan Nathan, and chef Michael Solomonov.
In reflection, our evening with the ANU Museum emphasized the unique Jewish ability to thrive despite the challenges we have faced and continue to face. As the night came to an end, there was an overwhelming sense of determination to be more engaged in our Judaism and certainly to feel empowered to be Jewish. The gala wasn’t just a celebration. it was a reaffirmation of our hope; a reaffirmation of resilience; and a reaffirmation that the Jewish spirit can never be broken.
Irina Nevzlin and Alfred Moses
Irina Nevzlin, Alfred Moses and Andrew Tisch
Modi Rosenfeld and Daniel Pincus
Keynote Speaker Bret Stephens
University Students from New York City
Columbia University students
Ambassador Danny Dannon, Talie Dannon, Ambassador Ofir Akunis and Adi Akunis
David and Sylvia Roth, Linda Mirels
Penny and Claudio Pincus, Becky and Daniel Pincus
Shula Bahat, Lewis Pollack, Gloria Golan, Zion Ozeri, Julie Wise Oreck, Phil Schatten
Modi addressing the audience
Closing out the evening with Hatikvah
Harriet Brahms, Tzili Charney, Deborah Rosen
Alfred Moses with Modi
Gloria Golan and Shula Bahat
Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, Alfred Moses and Irina Nevzlin
Three Spoons of Oil and Two Brushes Exhibit
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Joan Nathan, Jake Cohen, Meirav Oren and David Roth
Jake Cohen with the chef coat he inspired
Joan Nathan with the chef coat she inspired