The 14th Annual Bel Air Affaire, hosted at the iconic Papillon Estate in Beverly Hills, raised more than $2 million for student scholarships at Israel’s Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HU).
This year’s honorees, Roberta and Stanley Bogen, were presented with the Humanitarian Torch of Learning Award during the event hosted by the Western Region of American Friends of the Hebrew University (AFHU).
“Roberta and Stanley Bogen have been actively involved with Hebrew University and AFHU for decades wherever they call home in the U.S.,” says Barbara Natterson-Horowitz, MD, President, AFHU Western Region. “We are honored to welcome Roberta and Stanley to our Los Angeles AFHU community and pay tribute to their extraordinary generosity as vibrant AFHU members and Torch of Learning Honorees.”
Roberta and Stanley have generously supported the Hebrew University Lautenberg Center for General and Tumor Immunology, the Truman Center’s Roberta and Stanley Bogen Library, and the Rothberg International School. The Hebrew University Department of Economics bears the Bogen Family name, and, in honor of Stanley’s parents, the Bogens established two named chairs at the university: the Max Bogen Visiting Professorship in Economics and the Marcy Bogen Chair in Academic Excellence. The couple received the AFHU National Scopus Award in 2012.
Stanley, who became involved with AFHU in 1961, has been a past President, Treasurer, and Vice President. A member of AFHU’s National Board, he currently serves on several committees. He is also a Hebrew University Benefactor, a member of the university’s Board of Governors, and he sits on the Board of Trustees of the Harry S. Truman Research Institute for the Advancement of Peace. In 1981, Stanley was the youngest person to be awarded an honorary doctorate from Hebrew University.
Roberta, a member of AFHU’s National Board of Directors, has worked to build AFHU in the New York region and has been a driving force behind AFHU’s development of the Palm Beach community. The Hebrew University of Jerusalem recognized Roberta’s leadership by awarding her an Honorary Fellowship in 2013.
As part of the evening’s festivities, Hebrew University President Asher Cohen welcomed guests. Student ambassador Yona Shemesh, a scholarship recipient pursuing Middle Eastern studies, addressed the gala attendees.
Guests were treated to the extraordinarily humorous comedienne Wendy Liebman as well as a greeting from legendary comedian Billy Crystal and cuisine from Whoa Nelly Catering. Click here to watch the Billy Crystal greeting.
“I want to express my gratitude to our Co-Chairs: Joyce Brandman, Renae Jacobs-Anson and Dr. David Anson, and Helen Jacobs-Lepor and Dr. Norman Lepor, who have ceaselessly shown their dedication and devotion to Hebrew University and Israel,” Dr. Horowitz says. “I’d also like to effusively thank others that helped make the Bel Air Affaire a reality including our Honorary Chairs, Stephen J. Cloobeck, Patricia L. Glaser and Sam Mudie, as well as May and Richard Ziman. Our Event Chairs were Hella and Chuck Hershson, William H. Isacoff, Mindy and Robert Mann, Michelle and Marc Rosenbach, and Nancy and Ken Stein.”
About the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is Israel’s premier academic and research institution. Serving over 23,000 students from 80 countries, the university produces nearly 40% of Israel’s civilian scientific research and has received over 11,000 patents. Faculty and alumni of the Hebrew University have won eight Nobel Prizes and a Fields Medal. For more information about the Hebrew University, please visit http://new.huji.ac.il/en.
About American Friends of the Hebrew University (AFHU): American Friends of the Hebrew University (AFHU) is a national, not-for-profit organization based in the United States. AFHU is headquartered in New York and has seven regional offices working in close partnership with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. AFHU provides supporters, Hebrew University alumni, and the public with stimulating programs and events and organizes missions to Israel. The organization’s activities support scholarly and scientific achievement at Hebrew University, create scholarships, fund new facilities, and assist the university’s efforts to recruit outstanding new faculty. See: http://www.afhu.org. Follow us on: Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter X | Instagram | YouTube.
