Article

Read the original article here.

CCFP is holding its sixth annual Ambassadors of Peace Gala (AOP), where they honor five individuals in entertainment for using their platform to bring people together, as well as effect positive change.

On Oct. 12, five days after the deadliest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, Creative Community for Peace put out a letter in support for Israel. Signed by over 2,000+ people in entertainment including Gal Gadot, Jamie Lee Curtis, Chris Pine, Mayim Bialik, Liev Schreiber, Amy Schumer, Michael Douglas, Jerry Seinfeld, Helen Mirren and Debra Messing, the letter called for the release of the hostages and condemned Hamas.

Gadot said, “My heart is aching for the lives lost and families shattered. I’m praying for everyone who has been affected by Hamas’ terrorism and brutality. And I hope that the world remains steadfast in their support of the Israeli people.”

Since the letter was released, CCFP has urged celebrities – whether or not they are Jewish – to stand up for Israel and advocate for peace. On their Instagram account, they frequently release videos of entertainers voicing support for the Jewish state, as well as advocate for the hostages and share inspiring content, like Shaq wishing a “Shana Tova” to survivors of Oct. 7.

Now, CCFP is holding its sixth annual Ambassadors of Peace Gala (AOP), where they honor five individuals in entertainment for using their platform to bring people together, as well as effect positive change. The main honoree at this year’s event, which is taking place at a home in Beverly Hills, is Mayim Bialik of “The Big Bang Theory,” “Blossom” and “Beaches.”

“I am so grateful to all of the work that CCFP has done for the Jewish community and in particular, for those of us in Hollywood trying to make sense of a lot of uncertainty and fear post Oct. 7,” Bialik told The Journal. “My understanding of the news coming out of Israel and my place in the world as a proud liberal Zionist has been transformed by the work of CCFP and their tireless efforts to combat antisemitism and anti-Zionism.”

I am so grateful to all of the work that CCFP has done for the Jewish community and in particular, for those of us in Hollywood trying to make sense of a lot of uncertainty and fear post Oct. 7.” – Mayim Bialik

The other gala honorees include Phylicia Fant, who is head of music industry and culture collaboration at Amazon Music; Josh Binder, a founding partner at Rothenberg, Mohr & Binder, LLP; Elliot Grange, CEO of Atlantic Music Group; and Ben Silverman, chairman and co-CEO of Propagate Content.

“All of the honorees are people we know that care about our mission and they understand the importance of our work and believe in it,” said former CEO/Chairman Universal Music Publishing and CCFP Chairman and Co-Founder David Renzer.

According to Renzer, this AOP is shaping up be the biggest event yet, with over 500 attendees, and a record amount of fundraising.

He was proud to see that, after Oct. 7, “there are many people in the Jewish community who have been activated. They say they were apathetic about their Judaism in the past, but the rise in antisemitism has really alarmed them. So many people are motivated to do something.”

At the same time, Renzer has seen people in the entertainment industry face backlash and attacks for being Jewish and/or pro-Israel.

“People have created online groups that call out Zionists in music and film and entertainment,” he said. “It’s their way of trying to intimidate the Jewish executives. But we will not be intimidated.”

Along with posting up videos and statements of celebrities coming out in support of the Jewish community and Israel, CCFP educates on antisemitism within the entertainment industry and builds bridges with other communities.

“We have a lot of members who aren’t Jewish who we honor,” Renzer said. “We try to have a diverse group of people who embody the spirit of CCFP.”

Unlike other galas, AOP, which honored actors Liev Schreiber in 2023 and Eugene Levy in 2022, is more of a casual party as opposed to a sit-down, formal banquet.

“It’s not your typical event,” Renzer said. “There will be music and performances, and it’s an incredible networking opportunity for people in entertainment. It’s in a beautiful home in Beverly Hills. It’s got a unique vibe, which is by design.”

Ari Ingel, executive director of CCFP, added, “People in the entertainment community are like the entire Jewish community right now — they feel the need to be with their peers and are looking for support and guidance on how we can tackle challenges together. That’s where CCFP has been doing an incredible job and service to the industry. That’s why this evening has taken on a new level of importance.”

By gathering together hundreds of leaders in entertainment, CCFP is fulfilling its mission: to push for peace and create positive change in the world. For

Ingel, this proves that “our communities are stronger when we stand together against all forms of hate.”

To purchase tickets (General admission, $360; sponsorships available), visithttps://www.creativecommunityforpeace.com/gala/purchase.

Read the original article here.

• Creative Community For Peace had called on Emmy runners to rescind the nom
• READ MORE: Anti-Israel protester says hostage ‘deserved’ to be killed  by Hamas

By Josh Boswell In Los Angeles For Dailymail.Com

Read the original article here.

Bisan Atef Owda was nominated with AJ+ at news Emmys for series “It’s Bisan From Gaza and I’m Still Alive”

Creative Community for Peace, an entertainment nonprofit, is calling for the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences to rescind an Emmy Awards nomination for Bisan Atef Owda, a Palestinian journalist, who the organization says is a member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a U.S.-designated terrorist organization.

Owda was nominated at the 2024 News & Documentary Emmys in the Outstanding Hard News Feature Story: Short Form category, alongside Qatari-owned media outlet AJ+, for their series “It’s Bisan From Gaza and I’m Still Alive.”

Nominations for the 45th annual awards were announced July 25, as selected by a far-reaching, anonymous body of “individuals with significant experience in the fields of broadcast and online journalism and documentary filmmaking at the national level,” according to NATAS.

Read the original article here.

More than 200 entertainment insiders attend day-long event to learn, strategize, and implement steps to effectively combat antisemitism.

Entertainment leaders recently gathered for the first-ever “Countering Antisemitism: An Entertainment Industry Summit.” Launched by Jewish advocacy and entertainment experts, the Summit was jointly held by Creative Community for Peace (CCFP), an entertainment-industry nonprofit, Creative Artists Agency (CAA), leading entertainment and sports agency, and American Jewish Committee (AJC), the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people.

Hundreds of entertainment professionals joined for the full day of programming. The Summit featured Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff; with Van Jones, political analyst; Eli Roth, actor/director; Scott Budnick, producer; and Jennifer Jason Leigh, actress.

The Summit comes at a particularly raw moment. Just seven months removed from the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust, antisemitism around the globe is surging. The Summit’s launch and the number of attendees represent the entertainment industry’s growing consensus for increased awareness, education, and action on antisemitism. Throughout the event, executives, agents, producers, talent, and other entertainment professionals took part in roundtable discussions and strategy sessions on the state of antisemitism, allyship, and ways the entertainment industry can effect positive change.

Opening remarks from Deborah Marcus, CAA Foundation Executive, David Renzer, CCFP Chairman and co-founder, and Ted Deutch, AJC CEO kicked off the event.

Marcus said, “We need more than ever to take care of each other, to work together, to provide comfort and community, to celebrate and to mourn and to inspire a different narrative to counter antisemitism.”

Renzer said: “Creative Community for Peace is proud to convene the leaders of the entertainment industry with our partners at CAA and AJC in this crucial time – uniting our industry to combat hate, build allyship, support Israel, and collaborate to effect positive change.”

Deutch said: “History has shown that when antisemitism flourishes, it is never just the Jewish community that is at risk. It is a sign that there is something wrong in society, that our society and ultimately democracy is at risk. That’s why we do this work.”

Programming consistently highlighted the connection between the Oct. 7 terror attack in Israel and the rising antisemitism around the globe. John Ondrasik, also known as Five for Fighting, an ally of the Jewish community, performed his song “OK.” Aligning with the Summit’s goal to spur action, Ondrasik has referred to his song as a moral statement, and “a call to action.”

Concluding the event was the screening of “Supernova,” a documentary co-directed by Duki Dror and Yossi Bloch about the Nova Music Festival where 364 civilians were murdered in southern Israel. Prior to the screening, a survivor of the Nova attack spoke to attendees. In closing, CCFP Executive Director Ari Ingel said, “Today’s Summit marks a pivotal step in our collective effort to combat antisemitism. Together, as entertainment industry leaders, we can ensure that our storytelling and public platforms serve the cause of peace and understanding, rather than vitriol and hate.”

CCFP, CAA, and AJC emphasized their commitment to continuing dialogue to ensure the entertainment industry takes actionable steps to combat antisemitism in all its forms. The partnering organizations hope that the Summit will serve as catalyst for the industry to launch additional initiatives and collective action to advocate for the Jewish people.

Read the original article here.

You can read the original article here.

The comedian landed in the country Monday before visiting families at the headquarters of the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.

Jerry Seinfeld is showing support for the families of Israeli hostages after arriving in the country earlier this week.

According to multiple local news sources, the comedian and Seinfeld star landed sometime Monday and has since visited the headquarters of the Hostages and Missing Families Forum in Tel Aviv. The actor, who has been recorded traveling around the country by multiple news outlets and by people who have posted sightings to social media, reportedly had an “emotional” meeting with a group of families, according to Haaretz.

The hostage advocacy organization shared with the outlet and others that the comedian “told the families that he feels a deep commitment to raising awareness around the world about the issue of the hostages, whose lives are in immediate danger” and that Seinfeld’s family was “very moved, and it was evident that they were deeply affected by the experiences they heard from the family members and the released hostages.”

“We thank the Seinfeld family for their moving visit to the families’ headquarters and their unwavering support for the families of the hostages,” the organization said in a statement. “We are confident that their support will be a significant and important step in our shared mission to bring about the immediate and safe return home of all the hostages.”

According to the Times of Israel, Seinfeld met with families of Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip and those recently released. The comedian’s presence in Israel was captured yesterday by local Israeli broadcaster Channel 13, which reported that the actor’s meeting with families lasted two hours longer than scheduled.

In one Channel 13 video shared to social media, the comedian can be seen wearing a dog tag that displays the phrase “Bring Them Home” — something Hareetz reports has become a popular way to signal solidarity with both the hostages and their families.

Seinfeld is the latest Hollywood name to visit the country. Comedian and actor Michael Rapaport and director Quentin Tarantino have visited the country in recent weeks. Music producer Scooter Braun is also currently visiting, according to updates on his Instagram Story.

Seinfeld was among a group of major Hollywood players, including Jamie Lee Curtis, Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Michael Douglas, Liev Schreiber, Amy Schumer, Debra Messing and Mayim Bialik, who signed an open letter in response to the Oct. 7 attack, backed by the Creative Community for Peace, in support of Israel in October.

The comedian has been a vocal supporter of Israel since the conflict started, including an Instagram post back in October detailing his time in the country as a teen. “My heart is breaking from these attacks and atrocities,” he wrote. “I will always stand with Israel and the Jewish people.”

You can read the original article here.

The Pink Floyd co-founder has been criticized for statements that are perceived as anti-Semitic. Now 15 organizations have contacted his BMG label.

Roger Waters , co-founder of Pink Floyd , is once again criticized for anti-Semitic statements and actions. Now an alliance of 15 organizations has written an open letter to Waters’ music label Bertelsmann/BMG. In this they call on the label’s CEO, Thomas Rabe, to reconsider the business relationship with the musician.

Waters has repeatedly attracted attention recently because of controversial statements. In a lengthy blog entry, he criticized the “German psyche ,” which allegedly made him appear to the public as an anti-Semite and Putin-understander. Furthermore, an appearance by him in a coat reminiscent of an SS uniform and relativizations of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine before the UN Security Council caused a stir. Some local politicians in Germany have already tried to get his concerts banned .

When Waters recently compared the murdered Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh to Anne Frank at a concert, it struck a chord with many representatives of the Jewish community. In a merger, they addressed his label with clear words.

15 organizations against Roger Waters

15 different organizations participated in the letter written by the “Creative Community For Peace”. These include the Central Council of Jews in Germany and the “Anti-Defamation League”.

The letter to CEO Thomas Rabe states: “[…] We believe that artists have a unique and important responsibility to speak out against bigotry, given their enormous influence in today’s world. Mr. Waters has repeatedly shown that he is determined to do the opposite – and would instead use his voice, his platform and his public microphone to fan the flames of hate.”

Previously, reference is made to various incidents in connection with the artist. The comparison of Shireen Abu Akleh with Anne Frank is mentioned, but also an alleged call by Waters to destroy the state of Israel.

The alliance further stated: “Given Bertelsmann’s unique history – particularly its actions during World War II – we find it concerning that the company would continue to benefit from this relationship, especially when you have recently shown that anti-Semitism is not on your list should have space. We respectfully ask you to reconsider BMG’s professional relationship with Roger Waters and look forward to your response.”

So far, neither Rabe nor a spokesman for BMG nor Roger Waters have commented on the written letter.

You can read the original article here.

15 Jewish organizations join forces

July 19, 2023 – 11:49 a.m

Los Angeles/Frankfurt – Pink Floyd founder and Israel hater Roger Waters (79) is heavily criticized for his views and his appearances (Nazi outfits, pig-shaped balloons with a Star of David). Politicians wanted to prevent his concerts in Germany – in vain .

Now 15 Jewish organizations have come together and written a joint letter to Thomas Rabe, chairman and CEO of Bertelsmann (Waters’ record company BMG). They ask that the business relationship with Roger Waters be reconsidered.

The open letter is a response to Roger Waters’ recent concerts in Germany, where he appeared in a Nazi-like uniform and compared a Palestinian-American journalist to Anne Frank.

The sender is the non-profit organization “Creative Community For Peace” (CCFP), which is joined by the following organizations: World Jewish Congress, Central Council of Jews in Germany, Simon Wiesenthal Center, European Jewish Congress, American Jewish Committee, Anti-Defamation League, Council for Australia/Israel and Jewish Affairs, B’nai B’rith International, Center for Israel and Jewish Affairs Canada, Community Security Trust, Conference of European Rabbis, Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, Conseil Représentatif des Institutions juives de France, South African Jewish committee of representatives.

The open letter in full:

“Dear Mr. Rabe,

As you may have seen, BMG client Roger Waters recently caused an uproar in Germany when he donned a Nazi-like uniform and Shireen Abu Akleh – a Palestinian-American journalist who tragically lost her life while working in a war zone – compared to Anne Frank, a young girl who was murdered by the Nazis simply because she was Jewish.

In response to this latest incident, the EU Commission’s Coordinator for Combating Anti-Semitism and Promoting Jewish Life and the United States Special Envoy for Monitoring and Combating Anti-Semitism loudly condemned Mr. Waters.

The US State Department also stated that Waters’ recent concert “contained images that were deeply offensive to Jewish people and downplayed the Holocaust.” The State Department added: “The artist in question has a long track record of using anti-Semitic language to denigrate Jewish people.” Unfortunately, the State Department is 100% correct, as this is just the latest in a long list of disturbing anti-Semitic incidents from Mr. Waters.

In the past he has described British Labor leader Keir Starmer being controlled by Jewish organizations, he has released pig-shaped balloons with the Star of David at his concerts, he has falsely blamed Israel for the death of George Floyd and he has publicly called for the destruction of the State of Israel. All of this came at a time when anti-Semitic incidents are increasing at an alarming rate worldwide.

We believe that artists have a unique and important responsibility to speak out against bigotry, given their enormous influence in today’s world. Mr. Waters has repeatedly shown that he is determined to do the opposite – and would instead use his voice, his platform and his public microphone to fan the flames of hate.

Given Bertelsmann’s unique history – particularly its actions during World War II – we find it concerning that the company would continue to benefit from this relationship, especially when you have recently demonstrated that anti-Semitism should have no place on your list.

We respectfully ask you to reconsider BMG’s professional relationship with Roger Waters and look forward to your response.”