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Jewish Community News
News: December 2005
Henry Winkler to speak at Federation annual event dinner
Henry
Winkler will speak at the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley’s
annual dinner on Saturday, January 7. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. at
the Levy Family Campus with a cocktail reception, and continues at 6:30
p.m. with a Havadalah ceremony and dinner. Drs. Arlene and Rick Noodleman
are chaircouple of the event.
Winkler was born in New York City, the son of Harry and Ilse Winkler,
German Jewish Holocaust survivors who immigrated to Manhattan in 1939.
Winkler’s family identified strongly as being Holocaust survivors,
and even belonged to a synagogue built by survivors.
Winkler recalls struggling in his elementary and high school years, due
to what he later identified as dyslexia. Despite his tough early years
academically, Winkler’s parents were always very supportive of his
desire to act.
After college, Winkler attended the Yale School of Drama and made his
film debut in “The Lords of Flatbush” (opposite Sylvester
Stallone). After he moved to Hollywood, Winkler began his life-changing
role on Happy Days.
Unlike popular conception however, Winkler’s career did not end
after Happy Days. Today Winkler still acts, directs and has even written
several children’s books about a young boy who struggles in elementary
school due to a learning disability.
Winkler is also heavily involved in tzedakah, including big efforts to
immunize children through the Children’s Action Network, and to
feed hungry kids in Los Angeles. His efforts over the years have been
recognized with humanitarian prizes by B’nai B’rith International,
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, and the United Nations.
“I’m proud of being Jewish,” Winkler told the Jewish
Journal of Los Angeles. “For 5,000 years people have tried to eradicate
the Jew and we’re still here in a wonderfully positive, contributing
way. It’s a nice thing.”
Winkler’s speech at the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley’s
annual event dinner is open to anyone who makes a contribution to the
Annual Campaign. For more information on this event contact Arielle Hendel
at 357-7501. Please register online at www.jvalley.org.
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