AFHU News Winter 2023

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AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE HEBREW UNIVERSITY
AFHU NEWS VOL. 31 PAGE 27
Event Recaps
14th Annual Bel Air Affaire
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.
as a greeting from legendary comedian Billy
Crystal and cuisine from Whoa Nelly Catering.
Watch Greeting from Billy Crystal on YouTube
(L-R) Hebrew University President Professor Asher Cohen, event honorees Roberta and Stanley Bogen
On September 11, 2023, 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.
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,
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
(L-R) Renae Jacobs-Anson, comedienne Wendy Liebman, Helen Jacobs-Lepor
“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 added. “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.”