New York Gala 2023

Thank you to all of our honorees, presenters, and attendees who made A Wider Bridge “Israel at 75” gala a sold-out success.
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On the gala, A Wider Bridge announced our emergency matching campaign to give an additional $180,000 in Impact Grants in support of the fight for LGBTQ rights in Israel.
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Give with Twice the Impact! Thanks to a generous anonymous grant, the first $75,000 donated to this campaign will be matched.

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Community Leadership Award

Rabbi Denise Eger, Los Angeles

Awarded for her work as an international Jewish leader, speaker, author, social justice activist, and passionate Zionist. For decades, Rabbi Eger has been at the forefront of the fight for LGBTQ equality. She is the founding Rabbi of Congregation Kol Ami in West Hollywood, California, and Past President of the Central Conference of American Rabbis. She also co-chaired two groundbreaking LGBTQ clergy missions for A Wider Bridge.

 

Arthur Slepian Award

Daniel Hernandez, Arizona

Awarded for his leadership as a proud progressive voice fighting for LGBTQ equality and for Israel. Daniel served in the Arizona House of Representatives and founded the state’s LGBTQ Caucus. He is a vice chair of the A Wider Bridge board, a mission alumnus, and co-chaired the successful virtual mission for elected officials in 2021. He has also been an advocate for gun violence prevention and is credited with taking actions that saved the life of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords when she was shot in 2011.

Trailblazer Award 

Alan Schwartz, New York

Awarded for his decades of distinguished leadership in the for-profit and nonprofit worlds, including as Chair of the Board of A Wider Bridge from 2019-2023, and vice chair from 2016-2019. Alan led AWB through a period of tremendous growth, expanding our mission and alumni programs, launching our Impact Grants initiative, and amplifying the voice of our community in the fight against antisemitism, anti-Zionism, LGBTQphobia, and inequality. His work in global finance and civic leadership has earned him recognition and multiple awards.

Tzedek Award 

Roselyne ‘Cissie’ Swig, San Francisco

Awarded for her embodiment of the Jewish value of Tzedek, doing justice and right in the community.  Roselyne “Cissie” Swig has devoted decades to philanthropic and community service efforts at the local, national and global levels, focusing on women’s empowerment, social welfare, fine art, political advocacy and education. She is a longtime friend and supporter of A Wider Bridge and our work on behalf of Israel, the Jewish community, and LGBTQ rights.

Co- Chairs and Host Committee

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Honorary Chair
Jane Weitzman 
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Event Chairs
Ian Cohen and Darryl Murphy
Barbara and Jeffrey Farber
Stephanie and Sam Lauter
Rachel Wahba
Tanya Walker
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Host Committee
Shlomo Ashkinazy and Mike Gomillion
Andy Austin and Michael Sonberg
Jacob Baime
Robert Bernstein and Bryant Hutson
Dr. Dana Beyer
Barry Blecher
Ronit and Zack Bodner
Jeremy Burton
Louise and Robert Cohen
Wiliam C. Daroff and Heidi Krizer Daroff
Jack and Karin Fein
Kyle Ferari
Eric S. Fingerhut
Amy and Mort Friedkin
Anita Friedman and Igor Tartakovsky
The Friend Family Foundation
Christian Fuscarino and Aaron Williams
Rachel Glazer
Jeff Goodman and Ralph Storrier
Greg Gorel
Tyler Gregory
Paul Groipen
Rabbi Steve Gutow
Jim Heeger and Daryl Messinger
Hon. Alma Hernandez
Hon. Consuelo Hernandez
Ian Hersh
Kevin Ivers
Ellen and Rabbi Doug Kahn
Steve Kay Kupietzky
Stuart Kurlander
Yehuda Kurtzer
Tracey and Michelle Labgold
Arthur S. Leonard
David Levine
Libitzky Family Foundation
Harry Lutrin
Bruce Maxwell and Sergei Kokoulin
Richard Miller and Roberto Konishi
Isaac and Andrew Mitchell-Namdar
Frank November
Sam Picciotto
Jeanette and Eli Reinhard
Mark Reisbaum and Michael Case
Scott Reiter
Lisa and Steven Rudner
James Rushing
Michael Sarid
Jeffrey Schoenfeld and Matt Holbein
Rabbi Zach Shapiro
Jonathan Sheena and Alla Lopatin
Arthur Slepian and Gerry Llamado
Jimmy Steindecker
Fred Steiner
Rabbi Eleanor Steinman
Drew Tabatchnick and Ira Baer
Laura Talmus and Ace Smith
Bob Tandler and Valli Benesch
Aaron Tartakovsky and Mila Lazarevsky
Stuart Weitzman
Sharon Wilkes and Robert Kinberg
Evan Wolfson