Special Hiddur Mitzvah Program Benefits the Coastal Regions Hit By Katrina

In response to recent events on the Gulf Coast, The Gary Rosenthal Collection is asking for your help with a special Hiddur Mitzvah Project. Their goal is to provide Jewish families in New Orleans with ritual Judaica pieces to replace those lost or damaged in the hurricane.

Their Hanukkah drive has already been a great success- and will supply over 500 dreidels and hanukkiot to families in need at a Hanukkah celebration in New Orleans on December 20, 2005. Please read the invitation and press release to learn more.

Winefest On Tap At Mohegan Sun In January To Benefit Charities

January 20th - 26th

The main event of the upcoming Sun Winefest is the Grand Tasting. More than 1,000 fine wines provided by international wineries, tastings from some of the best restaurants, and exhibitors showcasing related services such as wine storage, culinary accessories and specialty foods will be featured.

Guests will have the opportunity to ask questions, hear commentary from the winemakers and experts, and enjoy delicacies from some of the region's finest restaurants by purchasing tasting portions of signature dishes. Sun Winefest attendees will also have the opportunity to add to their experience by attending a series of interesting and educational seminars. Topics that pertain to all aspects of wine, food and pairing will be offered.

Mohegan Sun's executive chef, Michael Luboff is also pleased to host Mohegan's celebrity chefs, Todd English and Jasper White, who have invited an impressive lineup of exceptional culinary personalities. The visiting celebrity chefs will be featured in cooking demonstrations all weekend on the main stage located in the Grand Tasting along with other entertaining presentations.

Proceeds will benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

On Friday, "The Celebrity Food & Wine Forum Dinner," a five-course meal, inspired by the participating celebrity chefs and prepared by Chef Michael Luboff, will feature an intimate question and answer forum with some of America's best known culinary personalities.

To further compliment the Sun Winefest experience, Friday and Saturday night will feature fundraisers to benefit the American Liver Foundation and Time for Life, supporting children with cancer and their families.



Tickets for the events are $175, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the American Liver Foundation. Saturday evening features a "Celebrity Chef Dine Around," with the opportunity for guests to meet world-famous chefs, television celebrities, cookbook authors and celebrated restaurateurs while sampling some of their signature dishes. Each dish will be paired with a wine, highlighting their dish, followed by an elaborate dessert display, presented by the Mohegan Sun culinary team. The evening includes music, dancing and a silent auction. Also benefiting from the event is Time for Life, a non-profit organization dedicated to developing and implementing programs and services that meet the needs of children with cancer and their families.

Tickets to "The Celebrity Food & Wine Forum Dinner" and "The Celebrity Chef Dine Around" can be purchased at the Sun Winefest website.

Funrise Donates Toys To Children's Hospital

Funrise Toy Corporation participated in the 10th Annual Toy Run for Kids with more than $100,000 worth of toys being donated to the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles. Santa Claus, along with motorcycles, fire trucks, and CHP (California Highway Patrol) officers, made his way from Funrise headquarters to the hospital Sunday, December 4. Motorcyclists participated for free with the donation of an unwrapped toy, with the first 100 riders receiving a free Toy Run for Kids 2005 T-shirt. The second 100 riders received a free Toy Run pin. Free food and beverages were provided by Krispy Kreme, Mrs. Beasley's, Western Bagel, and In-N-Out. A portion of the toys is being donated to The Toy Bank, introduced by the Toy Industry Foundation, the philanthropic organization representing the North American toy industry.

Angelina Jolie And Peter Gabriel To Host Benefit Gala For WITNESS

Academy Award winning actress Angelina Jolie and musician and activist Peter Gabriel will co-host a benefit gala for WITNESS, the international human rights group, on December 5, 2005 in New York City. The event, to be held at The Supper Club in Times Square, will include performances by folk rock icon Emmylou Harris, legendary performers Nile Rodgers and CHIC, and other special guests

WITNESS is a New York-based organization that deploys video and technology to promote human rights causes worldwide, was co-founded in 1992 by Peter Gabriel. Since its founding, WITNESS has partnered with groups in more than 60 countries, bringing often unseen images, untold stories and seldom heard voices to the attention of key decision makers, the media, and the general public — prompting grassroots activism, political engagement, and lasting change.

Read more at the WITNESS Website.