Deaf Today: Marlee Matlin to address Star Celebration

January 4, 2003

Marlee Matlin to address Star Celebration

From: Boca Raton News, FL - 04 Jan 2003

Actress will speak at Jewish Federation program

Award-winning film and television actress Marlee Matlin is scheduled to be the keynote speaker at the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County’s Fourth Annual Star Celebration Feb. 26
Presented by the Jewish Federation’s Women’s Division, the community-wide outreach event will begin at 10:30 a.m. in the Mizner Center at the Boca Raton Resort & Club, 501 E. Camino Real.
The annual Star Celebration takes its name from the Book of Daniel in the Bible: “And those who turn the many to tzedakah (“charity”) will shine like the stars for ever and ever.”
The event is designed to introduce the Jewish Federation to a broader array of women, educating them about the Federation’s mission and getting them interested and involved in “repairing the world,” according to organizers.
The event’s co-chairwomen are Marjory Dobbin, Lorie Berman and Roxane Frechie Lipton.
Matlin has had recurring roles on such TV shows as “Judging Amy,” “The Practice” and “West Wing.” She made Hollywood history in 1987 when, at age 21, she became the youngest performer to receive the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in the film “Children of a Lesser God.” She is one of only four actresses to win the Oscar for a debut performance.
Her children’s novel, “Deaf Child Crossing,” was published in September.
The Morton Grove, Ill., native who began acting at age 7 attended Chicago’s Congregation Bene Shalom/Hebrew Association for the Deaf, where she learned English, Hebrew and sign language. At her bat mitzvah, she signed and spoke her Torah portion. Now a mother of three, Matlin also serves as spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Red Cross.

If you go:
Attendance at the Star Celebration requires an individual gift of $365 or more to the Federation/UJA 2003 Campaign, in addition to the $55 tickets. Reservations are required. For more information or to make a reservation, call 852-3160 or e-mail melissac@bocafed.