Documentary Filmmaker and Author Alexandra Pelosi to Speak at Sept. 8 Event in Michigan

Aug. 15, 2011 - PRLog -- The National Council of Jewish Women, Greater Detroit Section (NCJW/GDS) will welcome Alexandra Pelosi as its keynote speaker at the organization’s annual benefit.  The Women of Vision luncheon will be held Thursday, September 8 at Congregation Shaarey Zedek (27375 Bell Road, Southfield 48034). She will discuss media influence on elections. Nancy K. Kaufman, CEO of NCJW’s national organization, also will make remarks.

Pelosi, the daughter of Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, is most well known for her seven HBO documentary films that examine the diverse aspects of America.  Her Emmy Award winning filmmaker and author’s “Journeys with George” followed former President George W. Bush on the presidential campaign trail and “Homeless: Motel Kids of Orange County” documented the lives of homeless children.  Her most recent film, “Citizen USA: A 50 State Road Trip,” which debuted in July, took her to naturalization ceremonies in every state.  In it, Pelosi met with new citizens and discussed why they chose America as their home.

She also has published two books: “Sneaking into the Flying Circus: How the Media Turn our Presidential Campaigns into Freak Shows” and “Citizen USA: A 50 State Road Trip.”

“Alexandra Pelosi is a strong woman who exemplifies that you can do anything if you set your mind to it,” said Sharon Lipton, co-chair of Women of Vision.  “At a relatively young age, she has accomplished what many others have not, while at the same time enlightening and inspiring us all.”

The funds raised from the event will benefit the 120-year-old organization’s many community service programs which each year include providing backpacks with new school supplies to homeless students, donating 1,000 blankets to children removed from their homes by Protective Services, operating a single family domestic abuse shelter, providing more than $100,000 for grants and interest-free loans to college students, packing and delivering 38,000 Meals on Wheels and more.

In addition to Pelosi’s remarks, Women of Vision will honor NCJW/GDS volunteer Toby Arons; Community Activist Wendy Wagenheim; and The Jewish Dental Clinic with the Josephine S. Weiner Award. The NCJW Josephine S. Weiner Award honors an individual or organization in the greater Detroit metropolitan area whose work benefits the community, serves as an inspiration to others, and reflects the mission statement of the organization.

Registration and boutiques open at 10: 00 a.m. Lunch will commence at 12 p.m. with the award presentation and speaker following at 12:45 p.m.  The boutiques close at 3 p.m.

Tickets for the speech and lunch, which will be kosher, are $100.  To only attend Pelosi’s speech, the tickets are $45 and will be held at the Sanctuary door.  Student tickets are $20 and also will be held at the door.  To register, please call (248) 355-3300, ext 0 or visit www.ncjwgds.org.  The deadline to RSVP for the luncheon is Thursday, August 25.  

For more information on the event and the NATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN, GREATER DETROIT SECTION, call (248) 355-3300, ext. 0, or visit www.ncjwgds.org.