Residents Attend Ed Asner Event at JCC
Cultural outings are a part of the active lifestyle for residents at the Jewish
Home. They include frequent visits to all of Southern California's major
museums, the LA Opera, the Ahmanson, and American Jewish University for student
concerts.
Last week, at the invitation of Hillel 818, a group of Eisenberg Village residents attended a special matinee at the Milken Jewish Community Center in West Hills. Billed as "Coffee and Conversation with Ed Asner," the event featured an up-close-and-personal interview with the Emmy and Golden Globe Award winning actor.
Well-known for his political activism and campaigns for social responsibility, Asner's interests and involvement have ranged from abolition of the death penalty in the U.S. to humanitarian assistance to the people of Third World countries. Asner also served two terms as president of the Screen Actors Guild, where he was a vocal opponent of Reagan-era policies in Central America.
The event was emceed by Aaron Levinson, Executive Director of the Jewish Home support group, The Executives. To the delight of a packed house, Levinson began the afternoon by exploring Asner's early years growing up as a child of Russian Jewish Orthodox emigres in Kansas City, Kansas.
The interview covered a wide range of topics in and out of show business, including the actor's high-profile voiceover work in the computer-animated comedy adventure, "Up," and was followed by a lively hour of questions from audience members.