The Jewish Federation of Los Angeles has hired prominent entertainment industry figures to launch the Jewish Entertainment Alliance, an advocacy effort to combat the rise in anti-Semitism.
Showrunners Howard Gordon and Joel Fields, directors Jeremy Kagan, Kimberly Peirce and Greg Simon, and actor Ginnifer Goodwin are among those who have joined the alliance’s executive committee. Judy Friedman will serve as the group’s general counsel. Marina Savall, a veteran journalist and former features editor at Variety magazine, has joined Jewish Federation of Los Angeles as director of development for the Entertainment Media Communications Network. Savall will serve as director of the Jewish Entertainment Alliance.
“Over the years, many Jews in the entertainment industry have experienced unspeakable and creeping anti-Semitism,” said Gordon, known for his work on “Homeland,” “24” and many other series. “We knew we needed help getting through this difficult time, so partnering with the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles felt like a really good marriage.”
Geopolitical upheavals around the world and the response to the terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, which sparked the Gaza War. The Jewish Entertainment Alliance was formed in response to movements such as a petition circulated in September that gathered signatures from around 4,000 industry names pledging not to work with Israeli-affiliated companies in protest of Israel’s military destruction of Gaza.
“Jews have always been and will continue to be an integral part of the Hollywood story,” said Rabbi Noah Farkas, JFEDLA Chairman and CEO. “We are proud to partner with the Jewish Entertainment Alliance and look forward to bringing together members of the entertainment community to support each other, increase Jewish solidarity within the industry, improve Jewish representation and inclusion, and continue to tell Jewish stories in powerful and inspiring ways.”
Other members of the executive committee include Leslie Shapira, Patrick Moss, Stuart Archer, and Dan Signer. The focus, according to JFEDLA, is to provide “expert-led guidance, workforce support systems, and legal and professional tools to address the pressing challenges facing Jewish creatives today.”
“JFEDLA is dedicated to living the values of leadership and solidarity,” Saval said. “The Jewish Entertainment Alliance serves as an important platform and advocacy organization that provides expert guidance, workforce support systems, and legal and professional tools to address the pressing challenges facing Jewish creators today.”
In November 2023, Gordon joined forces with a number of writers and producers to launch the Entertainment Alliance Against Anti-Semitism. In September 2023, the Anti-Defamation League established the Media and Entertainment Institute to work with Hollywood on anti-Semitism and other issues.
(Photo: Howard Gordon, Ginnifer Goodwin, Joel Fields)
