Hollywood stars read letters linking Jews to Israel at Los Angeles unity fundraiser

Dustin Hoffman, Gene Simmons, Jon Voight, and Bob Odenkirk read historical letters linking Jews to Israel at a sold-out Jewish Federation Los Angeles fundraiser at UCLA's Royce Hall. The event, held on Oct. 19, featured readings from Maimonides to Leonard Bernstein, and included an appearance by former hostage Eliya Cohen and his bride Ziv Abud. Proceeds benefit the Sha'ar HaNegev Resilience Centre.

Hollywood stars including Dustin Hoffman, Gene Simmons, Jon Voight, and Bob Odenkirk gathered at UCLA's Royce Hall on Monday night for 'Letters, Light and Love,' a theatrical production celebrating the connection between the Jewish people and Israel. The sold-out Oct. 19 event, organized by Jewish Federation Los Angeles, featured readings of letters by historical figures such as Maimonides, Julius Caesar, Golda Meir, Albert Einstein, and Leonard Bernstein, alongside personal accounts. All ticket proceeds will benefit the Sha'ar HaNegev Resilience Centre, which supports individuals and families in southern Israel recovering from the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks. Rabbi Noah Farkas, president and CEO of Jewish Federation Los Angeles, noted the significance of the venue, which was the site of a pro-Palestinian encampment less than three years ago where Jewish students reported feeling unsafe. UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk attended and participated in the readings. The evening's most emotional moment came when former hostage Eliya Cohen, who spent 505 days in captivity, appeared with his new bride, Ziv Abud, a survivor of the Oct. 7 Nova music festival massacre. Abud spoke about the shared struggle of Jews in Israel and the Diaspora. Musical performances included Distant Cousins playing Bob Dylan's 'Neighborhood Bully' and Matisyahu's 'One Day.'