The Simon Wiesenthal Center will present Warner Bros. Discovery head David Zaslav with its Humanitarian Award at its annual gala on October 30 in Beverly Hills.
The Wiesenthal Center’s highest honor, the Citation, will be presented to the veteran media CEO by Steven Spielberg. The award recognizes Mr. Zaslav’s long history of supporting a wide range of philanthropic causes, particularly his support for efforts to combat anti-Semitism and hatred, as well as environmental and public health issues.
“David is one of those rare and extraordinary people who uses his influence as a force for good,” said Jim Burke, CEO of the Wiesenthal Center. “In his life and work, he has demonstrated the power of storytelling to educate, change the way we see the world, and inspire empathy to inspire change. His dedication to truth, compassion, and the fight against intolerance truly embodies the spirit of this award.”
Zaslav has been at the helm of WBD since 2022. The company is currently in the middle of an initial public offering process with plans to separate into two separate entities. Others, such as Paramount Skydance, are jockeying for the chance to snap up their own entertainment properties like Warner Bros. and HBO.
Zaslav cited the power of storytelling as a means to combat the discrimination and violence that the Wiesenthal Center seeks to address.
“One of the most powerful antidotes to hate is storytelling, the kind that opens eyes, changes perspectives, and reminds us of our common humanity,” Zaslav said. “With anti-Semitism on the rise in the United States and around the world, it is more important than ever to confront hate in all its forms. We are honored by this recognition and proud to continue our support of the Simon Wiesenthal Center and the Museum of Tolerance, whose essential work continues to have a profound impact in confronting prejudice and promoting understanding.”
Dana Bash, CNN’s chief political correspondent, will be honored with the center’s Jewish Heritage Award. Aya Meydan and Omer Shem Tov, two survivors of the October 7, 2023 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel that sparked the Gaza War, will be awarded the center’s Medal of Valor.
This event is sure to draw a who’s who of entertainment leaders. The Wiesenthal Center will leverage its powerful space by detailing the expansion of the Moria Media Production Department. The company recently launched a drama series, “One Day in October,” based on the October 7 attacks. Moriah is working on a number of projects, including a biopic on David Ben-Gurion, Israel’s founder and first prime minister.
“We intend to use storytelling as a force for unity and change, and the expansion of Moria Media provides an incredible opportunity to tell powerful stories and shape culture in a way that overcomes hate and division,” Burke said. “We have a number of influential platforms elevating content that focuses on stories that inspire tolerance, empathy and respect.”