The Alex and Klara Tulsky Symposium on the Jewish Future is an annual program that focuses on specific challenges facing the American Jewish community. Recent topics have explored identity, health and healing, and the meaning of continuity in contemporary Jewish life.
This program marks the observance of National Women’s History Month.
Lectures, Discussions, Panels
Annual Tulsky Symposium on the Jewish Future
- Lights! Camera! Action!
Jewish Women in the Media - Multi-Media Lecture
- Sunday, March 18, 2007 at 2 pm
- Free, but reservations recommended.
- For reservations call 312.322.1743 or email rsvp@spertus.edu
Hear from an exciting panel of industry insiders as they present a unique perspective on the changing images of Jewish women in film and television.
Our prestigious panelists are members of the MorningStar Commission, a project begun by Hadassah, the national women’s Zionist organization, after research showed that negative stereotypes in the media impacted the way viewers perceived Jewish women. Named for Marjorie Morningstar (née Morgenstern) of Herman Wouk's novel and the subsequent film, the Los Angeles-based commission consists of media professionals actively working to improve portrayals of Jewish women.
Olivia Cohen-Cutler is Senior Vice President for Practice and Policy for ABC, Inc. She leads the Broadcast Standards department, which determines the acceptability of all entertainment programming, promotional and public service announcements, and commercial material broadcast over the ABC Television and Radio Networks and the ABC Family Channel, and provides assistance to other Disney Channel Outlets. Oliva holds a BA and Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration from Simmons College, and received her JD degree cum laude from Boston College Law School. She is the daughter of Holocaust survivors, and joyfully serves the Jewish community, most recently as a founding member of Congregation Or Ami in Calabasas, California, and as Chair of the MorningStar Commission, founded by Hadassah.
Becca Ballon is a UC Davis graduate and past president of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Pi, the sorority featured on the first season of MTV's Sorority Life. The program generated intense media attention and in response, members of the MorningStar Commission mentored the young women involved. She has partnered with MorningStar since then, speaking across the country at college campuses and Hadassah Conventions. She currently works as an Editor in the New York department of Broadcast Standards and Practices for ABC.
Joan Hyler runs Hyler Management, a talent management and production company. A former senior vice president at William Morris, for over two decades she has represented some of the leading stars in the industry. She continues to represent award-winning actors, producers, and writers, including Ricki Lake, Diane Lane, Eric McCormack, Alfred Molina, and Amber Tamblyn. Joan has been involved in the creation of a number of nonprofit organizations, most notably the MorningStar Commission and the National Foundation of Jewish Culture's Entertainment Council. She currently runs the Outreach Program for the Women in Film Foundation, where she previously served as President. Joan has taught courses at University of Southern California and has been a Visiting Professor at a number of prestigious institutions, including Tel Aviv University and UCLA.