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Entertainment Luminaries Among Those Feting Brett Ratner and Ben Silverman at ADL Entertainment Industry Dinner

  • April 21, 2015
Pictured: Honorees Ben Silverman and Brett Ratner and Regional Director Amanda Susskind flanked by Jane the Virgin stars Jaime Camil and Justin Baldoni

TV stars, studio heads, Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom and musical legend Michael Bolton were among those who came out for the Anti-Defamation League Entertainment Industry Dinner on April 20 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel honoring super-producers Brett Ratner and Ben Silverman.

Among the celebrities were MGM CEO Gary Barber, Warner Bros. CEO Kevin Tsujihara, Relativity CEO Ryan Kavanaugh, UTA Chairman Jim Berkus, New Line Cinema President Toby Emmerich and cast members of Jane the Virgin Ivon Coll, Justin Baldoni and Jaime Camil.  Baldoni was the MC and Camil presented the award to Silverman.

During their acceptance speeches, both honorees referenced their Jewish backgrounds and how the storytelling tradition had contributed to their success.  As Silverman told The Wrap, the duo was asked to be honored together and ADL knew they were friends.  “A little film, a little TV.  It’s a perfect combination.”

Accepting his award wearing his trademark green sneakers, Silverman reflected on Hollywood’s responsibility as storytellers who must “recognize the power of our words.”  He cited ADL as “an organization against hate….and I hate hate.”  And, referring to world events, he said, “ADL is more relevant than ever.”

Ratner also mentioned “the intersection of storytellers and the Jewish story,” discussing the Holocaust documentary he produced, Night Will Fall, and how much it meant to him. Visibly choking up, he dedicated this award to the memory of his grandfather who died last year.  Ratner also challenged the audience to donate even more money to ADL because of the focus on fighting anti-Semitism and bigotry.  “Children aren’t born with hate in their hearts.  Hate is learned and it can be unlearned.”

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In the News:

Variety

The Wrap

The Hollywood Reporter

Jewish Journal

Beverly Hills Courier