From across South Palm Beach County’s vibrant, diverse Jewish community, and from longtimers to newcomers, adults of all ages who support Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County will come together once again for a very special annual evening - to acknowledge and celebrate all the good we do together. More than 500 strong, they’ll also enjoy hearing from the renowned Brett Ratner, a native of South Florida who’s gone on to become one of Hollywood’s most successful filmmakers. THE EVENT 2.0: FEDERATION UNPLUGGED will take place at Boca West Country Club on Wednesday, March 1, 2017. Festivities will kick off at 6:30 p.m. with cocktails and heavy hors d’oeuvres, amid the warm greetings and enthusiasm of a family reunion. The program will begin at 7:30 p.m. “Our dynamic THE EVENT 2.0 program will celebrate just how much this extraordinary Jewish community accomplishes together with our Jewish Federation at the hub,” said Michael Shapiro, who is co-chairing THE EVENT 2.0 with his wife, Mara, and with Kathy and Ken Green.
“Amid friends, food and fun, everyone will see in person what a powerful difference we make in partnership with our agencies, schools and synagogues. We’ll hear from recipients whose lives are changed because we were there,” added Mara. “We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome Brett Ratner to our stage,” said Kathy. “Still a young Jewish guy from down the road, he’s known for mesmerizing and inspiring audiences with his journey from Miami dreamer to Hollywood mogul and action-packed, comedic delivery - as well as for his commitment to Jewish history, culture, values and philanthropy.” “Brett Ratner’s roots, including high school in Israel and learning Yiddish from his grandparents, are sure to with our crowd, just as his blockbuster films resonate around the world,” added Ken. Ratner directed the Rush Hour series, Family Man, Red Dragon, and X-Men: The Last Stand; and was Executive Producer of The Revenant and Horrible Bosses. In addition, his RatPac Entertainment has been a financier of more than 61 films including Gravity, The Lego Movie, American Sniper, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, The Revenant and Birdman.
It was no surprise that Ratner received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame last month. Yet having said that he is most proud of Night Will Fall, a Holocaust documentary he produced, Ratner may be even prouder of two other recent awards. He received the American Jewish Historical Society’s Visionary Leadership Award as “a dynamic thought leader in the American Jewish community.” And when the ADL honored him for his “simultaneous contributions to the entertainment industry and the fight against anti-Semitism and bigotry,” he was lauded for taking up the torch for his generation. “Yes, we have much to celebrate, as our community works together with Federation to FEED, PROTECT, TEACH, INSPIRE, SAVE and COMFORT so many vulnerable people from down the street in our community to across the globe in Israel and 70 other countries,” said Larry Feldman, Campaign Chair for the Federation. “But it will take more to see that no one goes without essential services and hope, and that our Jewish community and people can remain strong, vibrant and secure.
It’s up to every Jewish person in every generation in South Palm Beach County to stand up and make that difference. Join us at THE EVENT 2.0/FDEDERATION UNPLUGGED to feel the joy and strength of our community, and be part of that difference for those who need us.” THE EVENT 2.0 will offer a night of great food (dietary laws observed), entertainment and company for a couvert of $95 per person. A minimum household contribution of $500 to the 2017 Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County Annual Campaign is required to attend. Boca West Country Club is located at 20583 Boca West Drive in Boca Raton. Valet parking will be provided. Early registration is recommended for this popular event! THE EVENT is generously sponsored by Bankier and Arlen Law Group; The Mordis Group, Merrill Lynch; Marsh & McLennan Agency; and Virgin Printing Corp. Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits is the event’s In-Kind Sponsor, and The Boca Raton Observer is Exclusive Magazine Sponsor. Brett Ratner is one of Hollywood’s most successful filmmakers.
His diverse films resonate with audiences worldwide and, as director, his films have grossed over $2 billion at the global box office. Brett began his career directing music videos before making his feature directorial debut at 26 years old with the action comedy hit Money Talks. He followed with the blockbuster Rush Hour and its successful sequels. Brett also directed The Family Man, Red Dragon, After the Sunset, X-Men: The Last Stand, Tower Heist and Hercules. Ratner has also enjoyed critical acclaim and box office success as a producer. He has served as an executive producer on the Golden Globe and Oscar winning The Revenant, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Black Mass, starring Johnny Depp, and War Dogs, starring Jonah Hills; and as a producer on Truth, starring Robert Redford and Cate Blanchett; I Saw the Light, starring Tom Hiddleston and Elizabeth Olsen, Rules Don’t Apply, written, directed and produced by Warren Beatty and the Academy Award nominated Land of Mine directed by Martin Zandvliet.
His other produced films include the smash hit comedy Horrible Bosses and its sequel, and the re-imagined Snow White tale Mirror Mirror. His additional producing credits include the documentaries Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds, Author: The JT LeRoy Story, Catfish, the Emmy-nominated Woody Allen – A Documentary, Helmut by June, I Knew It Was You: Rediscovering John Cazale, Chuck Norris vs. Communism, the 5-time Emmy nominated and Peabody Award winning Night Will Fall, and Leonardo diCaprio’s Before the Flood, released by National Geographic. He also executive produced and directed the Golden Globe-nominated FOX series Prison Break. Brett, along with his business partner James Packer, formed RatPac Entertainment, a film finance production and media company, in 2013. RatPac has a first-look deal with Warner Bros. and joined with Dune Capital to co-finance over 75 films including Gravity, The Lego Movie, and American Sniper. Recent films include Sully, The Accountant, Suicide Squad, and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.