Related Articles
For Immediate Release – Pittsburgh, PA
Remarks by actor Joshua Malina, a co-star of ABC-TV’s Scandal, will highlight Main Event 2015, a cocktail party–fundraiser presented by the Young Adult Division (YAD) of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh. YAD invites Jewish and non-Jewish adults ages 22–45 to the event, to be held Saturday, Jan. 31, 7:30–10:30 p.m., at the Circuit Center & Ballroom, 5 Hot Metal St. (South Side), Pittsburgh 15203. Cost is $50 per person.
In addition to Mr. Malina’s presentation, the evening will include an open bar, heavy hors d’oeuvres and desserts. At the event attendees will be able to make a commitment to the Federation’s Annual Campaign and take photos with Mr. Malina.
Melissa Rackoff, one of four event chairs, characterizes Main Event 2015 as “a fun night out with a great entertainer. You don’t have to be Jewish to enjoy Joshua Malina’s reflections about growing up Jewish and the importance of community.” The other event chairs are Peter Rackoff, Andrea Ehrenreich and Mike Regan.
Andrea Ehrenreich adds: “Joshua Malina’s character on Scandal, David Rosen, has such passion for upholding the law that he is known as the man in the white hat. In real life, Mr. Malina has such passion for community work that he could be known as the mensch in the white hat. He shows how much difference one person can make.”
By making a financial contribution to the Annual Campaign of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, each attendee can make an impact of his or her own. The Campaign provides essential, unrestricted dollars to 10 beneficiary agencies that fight poverty and support families in Pittsburgh and around the world. Many of these programs, such as the Jewish Community Center, benefit Jewish and non-Jewish Pittsburgh.
The sponsors of Main Event 2015 are Huntington Bank; Dinsmore, a full-service business law firm; and the Loren R. Hirsch Memorial Endowment Fund.
In addition to his role on Scandal, TV viewers will know Mr. Malina from his role on
the NBC-TV hit The West Wing. On that show, Mr. Malina played Will Bailey, a
White House staffer who suffered olives in his pockets and a goat in his office.
Mr. Malina also appeared in the TV series Sports Night and in the USA Network hit
In Plain Sight.
A graduate of Yale University, with a bachelor’s in theatre studies, Mr. Malina made his professional acting debut in the Broadway production of A Few Good Men. His film credits include View From the Top, In the Line of Fire and Bulworth.
Mr. Malina combined his professional life, his interest in poker and his dedication to community by co-creating Bravo’s show Celebrity Poker Showdown, which pitted celebrities against each other in poker games that benefited charities.
Jewish causes have benefited from Mr. Malina’s attention. In a celebrity version of the TV game show Jeopardy!, he won $50,000 for Bet Tzedek, a pro bono law firm in
Los Angeles. Recently he took Mazon’s SNAP Challenge. This involved eating meals whose cost was about $1.40 — what the average recipient of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as “food stamps,” can afford.
Mr. Malina has discussed his experiences at dozens of Federations and Hillel Jewish university centers across the United States.
To attend Main Event 2015, register online at www.jfedpgh.org/mainevent or contact Meryl Franzos at mfranzos@jfedpgh.org or 412.992.5204. Registration closes Friday, Jan. 23. Dress for Main Event 2015 is cocktail attire. Kosher dietary laws will be observed. Valet parking will be available.
The Young Adult Division of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh serves Jewish adults ages 22–45 by providing leadership development, national and international travel opportunities and ways to connect with Jewish Pittsburgh: fun social events, meaningful volunteer service and stimulating educational programs. YAD offers events for singles, couples and families.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, a member agency of The Jewish Federations of North America, raises and allocates funds to build community locally, in Israel and around the world. With the vision of a thriving, vibrant and engaged Jewish community, the Federation aims to carry out its work in the context of cooperation and inclusiveness. For more information about the Federation and its Young Adult Division, visit www.jfedpgh.org.
###