On
Wednesday evening, March 4, 2009, The Jewish Museum presented its annual
masked Purim ball, A Night in Persia at the Palace of Queen Esther,
in the Grand Ballroom of The Waldorf=Astoria in New York City. The
ball honored Nazee and Joseph Moinian for their leadership and their
generosity to a broad range of causes - from those serving the New
York community to those that deal with global and international issues
that affect us all.
An original Purimspiel (Purim play), wittily retelling the heroic
story of the Biblical figure, Queen Esther, was written for the occasion
and performed by award-winning playwright and screenwriter Jon Robin
Baitz. Donny Deutsch, chairman of Deutsch Inc. and CNBC host,
served as Master of Ceremonies.
Ancient Persia set the stage for both the Purim story and the 2009
Purim Ball. Attendees entered the world of Queen Esther's
court, imbued with the mystery, richness, and splendor of Persian culture,
as The Jewish Museum commemorated the triumph over the evil Haman's
plot against her people. The Grand Ballroom was transformed into a
Persian palace.
The Honorary co-chairs of the gala were Maria Cuomo Cole and Kenneth
Cole, Sandi Farkas and Andrew Farkas, and Julie Menin and Bruce Menin. The
vice-chairs were Fanya Gottesfeld Heller, Betty Levin and John Levin,
Karen Lipman and Gustave K. Lipman, Leni May and Peter May, Beth Nash
and Joshua Nash, Nancy Offit and Morris W. Offit, Tracey Pruzan and
Robert Pruzan, and Jane Stern and Jim Stern.
At the heart of New York City's famed Museum Mile, The Jewish Museum
is admired for its exhibitions and educational programs that inspire
people of all backgrounds. A wide-ranging schedule of significant
art exhibitions, innovative educational programs, memorable family
events, and stimulating presentations attracting visitors of all ages,
demonstrates how The Jewish Museum illuminates art, culture and ideas
for today's diverse audiences.
