By Judie Jacobson

WEST HARTFORD—Actress Camryn Manheim gave a well-received performance as guest speaker at VOICES 2006, the annual fundraising event benefiting the Women’s Philanthropy Campaign of the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford, held last week in West Hartford. Proceeds from this year’s dinner also benefited Operation Promise, a nationwide initiative launched by United Jewish Communities to raise $160 million to rescue the remaining Jews in Ethiopia and to aid elderly Jews in the former Soviet Union.

“I was born the daughter of two Jewish educators who spent their lives fighting for the underdogs and making social contributions,” Manheim told 470 adoring women gathered in the ballroom of Emanuel Synagogue.
Given that legacy of activism, it is no wonder that the 45-year-old actress, who changed her first name to Camryn at the age of 22 – “I am the artist formerly known as Debra,” she joked – soon realized that there are battles of social conscience to be fought and won…even in Hollywood.

“For me it was dispelling the myth that big women weren’t beautiful and articulate and intelligent,” said Manheim, whose robust size boldly defies the Hollywood norm.  “For me it was offering another type of role model to young women out there who were struggling with their own sense of self-worth and power.”

Confounded by an entertainment world that refused to accept the budding young actress on her own terms, a determined Manheim wrote and starred in her own one-woman show. “Wake Up, I’m Fat!” tells the story of her personal battle to make peace with her body and her journey towards becoming an actor and an activist.

“I believe if you want to repair the world, we have to repair ourselves first.  And then the possibilities of generosity are endless,” said Manheim, who described in amusing detail how she managed to land the part of the “big and ballsy” attorney Eleanor Frutt on the now defunct TV series “The Practice,” and then continued to fight her battle even on the set.
“So why am I telling you all of this?” she asked the room full of meticulously manicured women, with few plus-sizes in sight.
“Well, social activism comes in many shapes and sizes.  If I can help prevent young women from hating themselves and their bodies, then I believe their healthy spirits will translate to a kinder, gentler world.”

Referring to “Hadassah” (a.k.a. Queen Esther) and the late Israeli Prime Minister Golda “Meyerson” (a.k.a. Meir) as examples, Manheim said, “The story of Jewish women is a history of selfless giving, of dedication to causes bigger than ourselves.  These powerful women have taught me many lessons in life.”

Keeping the promise

In announcing that, this year, proceeds from the women’s dinner would also benefit Operation Promise, VOICES co-chair Phyllis Gelles reported that the Hartford Federation is committed to raising $1.2 million as their share of the initiative’s overall goal of $160 million.

“These critical needs have been well-documented,” noted Gelles. “$60 million will be used for the elderly Jews in the former Soviet Union who live in poverty…in tiny cold water, walk-up flats… in need of one hot meal a day…in need of medical services and someone to visit so they don’t feel isolated, alone and forgotten.  We are their only Jewish lifeline…”

In addition, she said, “$100 million has been allocated to rescue the remnant Ethiopian community of 20,000 Jews and bring them home to Israel.  We have to feed them, house them, educate them, find jobs for them…and help them become productive citizens.”

Following a powerful video highlighting the urgency of the plight of the Jews in Ethiopia, Gelles introduced a young Israeli woman who has been living and working in Worcester, Massachusetts as part of the New England SNEC Partnership 2000 Israel Young Emissary Program.

“My parents walked all the way from Ethiopia to the Sudan just to come to Israel to practice Judaism.  It was their only dream,” said 18-year-old Rivka Abeve, who was born in Israel a few years after her parents were airlifted to the Jewish state during Operation Moses.

A poised and articulate woman, Abeve, whose grandfather died on the journey to Israel in 1984 and whose uncle is still missing in the Sudan, thanked those present for their support and implored them to continue their efforts.

“There are more people left in Ethiopia like my parents.  All they want is to live a Jewish life in Israel. We can make it happen.  Our support can change their lives.”

 

Camryn Manheim signs in and autographs her poster.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Women’s Philanthropy Chair Lisa Fishman with l-r  Voices co chairs Karen Worobow, Camryn Manheim, Anne Martha Pitegoff, Phyllis Gelles and Merrill Kate Mandell

 

 

 

 

 

New Lions of Judah at Voices:  l-r  Pamela Dubin, Doreen Fundiller-Zweig, Ethel Sondik, Camryn Manheim, Selma Squires, Abby Squires Perelman, Zelda Gersten, Janet Schrager, Alice Krall and Mindy Shuch.

 

 

 

 

 

At the Lion of Judah pre reception, l-r are Renee Dubin, Palmela Dubin, Eleanor Udolf, Lisa Fishman, Rita Spitz, and Alice Krall

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Zachs family with Camryn Manheim, Judy Zachs and Louise Zachs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robin Gelles, Phyllis Gelles, Louise Kaufman and Roberta Kaufman chat with Camryn

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Israeli Young Emissary Rivka Abeve and Cathrine Fischer Schwartz, Federation Executive Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Camryn Manheim gets a standing ovation at VOICES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crowds enjoying VOICES with Camryn Manheim

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Michele Hollander, Carolyn Gitlin and Jessica Fingold at VOICES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Women’s Philanthropy Chair Lisa Fishman, Camryn Manheim and Federation Director Cathrine Fischer Schwartz

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federation staff enjoying the event: Standing l-r, Barbara Galin, Linda Toce, Trish Mason, Camryn Manheim, Donna Wilbur, Deborah Goldberg, Mackenzie Stevenson and Caryn Burns. Seated l-r are Barbara Mitchell, Deb Figarsky, Betsy Richards and Mary Etter.

 

 

 

 

At book signing are, l-r, Debbie Glassman, Janine Leshem, Lori Yontef Mathog, Monica Gold, Karen Worobow, Alison Margulies and Kim Margolis.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoying VOICES are, l-r, Beth Appelman, Judy Zagoren Schlossberg, Camryn Manheim, Dr. Stacy Nerenstone and Eleanor Udolf.