Joshua Malina enthralls Campaign Opening audience with a captivating performance

As enthusiastic cross-section of community members came together in the spirit of Klal Israel to kick off the Federation Annual Campaign with Joshua Malina. A self-described “Hollywood Mensch”, passionate advocate for the Jewish community and a supporter of the work and mission of Jewish Federation, Malina regaled an appreciative 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 humorous (he credits performing the Heimlich manoeuvre 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 referenced the important life lessons and Jewish values he learned from his parents that built the foundation for his success and contributed to his role as a passionate and outspoken advocate for Israel and the Jewish community.

In addition to Malina, we were also fortunate to have several public officials join us for the evening, including Israel’s Consul General to Canada, DJ Schneeweiss, who expressed gratitude to the community for its unwavering support and contribution to “the canvas that is Israel.”

You can view photos from the event here.

The event marked the official opening of the 2014 Federation Annual Campaign, which provides the financial resources to support programs and services that create a safety net for our most vulnerable and strengthen our community.

Malina referenced a number of programs and initiatives funded through the Annual Campaign and underscored their value in building and sustaining a strong community. He fittingly closed his remarks with a clarion call to the community, “Hazak Hazak V’nitkhazek! Be strong! Be strong! And may we be strengthened.”