Ryan Kavanaugh Extends Continued Support To Israel

Relativity Founder Makes Sizable Donations to Four Organizations

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Sep 03, 2014, 04:00 ET

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Sept. 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Ryan Kavanaugh, Founder and CEO of Relativity made four personal donations in the amount of $25,000 each to the Anti-Defamation League, America's Voices in Israel, Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF), and Hadassah, the Women's Zionist Organization of America, toward Hadassah Medical Organization. Kavanaugh made the donations on the heels of an op-ed recently published by "The Hollywood Reporter" voicing his support for Israel.

As Kavanaugh writes in the piece, "Hollywood is a special place; a place filled with creative geniuses...But in the end, all artists depend on diverse audiences who can enjoy, be inspired by, and support their work. Why – in a community that celebrates the human spirit, and the right to share opinions via art – do some celebrities side with Hamas in its war against Israel; a vicious and violent organization that seeks only to destroy it. Israel is perhaps the closest free thinking place to Hollywood."

As part of his commitment, Kavanaugh donated money to four organizations that support tolerance and freedom in Israel.

The Anti-Defamation League

The ADL was founded in 1913 to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all. Now the nation's premier civil rights/human relations agency, the ADL fights anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry, is a staunch advocate for the State of Israel, and protects civil rights for all. Kavanaugh previously received the ADL's Entertainment Industry Award.
"Ryan Kavanaugh is a courageous, outspoken champion of what is good and right for Israel in its fight against evil," said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director. "He understands the damage that moral equivalency can create in the public arena, especially in the current situation where too many well-intentioned, but possibly ignorant people equate Israel with Hamas and are frequently so blinded by their emotions from understanding Israel's just cause. Ryan not only stands up with words, he stands up with deeds and public support. We wish we could clone Ryan, not only in Hollywood, but in other places that need such a clear and courageous voice for good."

America's Voices in Israel

This organization engages both traditional and "new media" mavens, high profile sports personalities and entertainers, key opinion molders, moderate Muslim leaders, diplomats, and other influential personalities with trips to Israel. Visits with America's Voices dispels misperceptions by connecting individuals with Israelis who have achieved breakthroughs in science and technology, to innovate in areas as diverse as agricultural and fashion, to become world-class entertainers, cultural figures and artists, and even Nobel Prize winners.
Irwin Katsof, Director, America's Voices in Israel said: "On behalf of America's Voices in Israel, we want to thank Ryan Kavanaugh for his most generous support at this critical time for Israel. Ryan Kavanaugh's courageous statement is a call to conscience for the entertainment industry which we hope will be heeded. His generosity will enable America's Voices to send journalists, opinion molders and broadcasters to Israel to tell the truth about the war and its causes and aftermath, which is Israel's strongest weapon against the misinformation and disinformation in much of the media. There is nothing comparable to these influentials being able to tell what they have seen firsthand. Sending leading figures from the entertainment world allows America's Voices to appeal to the younger generation and the general public who follow their blogs and tweets and see them as credible sources. We are grateful to Mr. Kavanaugh for his generosity, vision and his support for Israel and the Jewish people."

Friends of the Israel Defense Forces

FIDF was established in 1981 by a group of Holocaust survivors as a 501(C)(3) not-for-profit organization with the mission of providing and supporting educational, social, cultural, and recreational programs and facilities for the heroic men and women of the IDF. Today, FIDF has more than 120,000 loyal supporters, and 15 regional offices throughout the U.S. and Panama. FIDF proudly offers its support to the IDF soldiers and their families through a variety of unique and innovative programs. These opportunities reinforce the vital bond between the communities in the United States, the soldiers of the IDF, and the State of Israel. For more information, please visit: www.fidf.org.

Hadassah Medical Organization

Founded by Hadassah, the Women's Zionist Organization of America, the Hadassah Medical Organization pioneered the development of standards and practices of health care in Israel. Today, it is one of the premier research institutions in the Middle East, sharing its cutting edge research and collaborating with other research institutions around the world. Its main focus and its health care activities are in Jerusalem, and its heritage and emotional links are deeply rooted in the land of Israel and its people. Hadassah Medical Organization forges links between patients of all nationalities, races and religion who come to its doors for healing.
The organization issued a statement saying: "Hadassah, the Women's Zionist Organization of America, profoundly thanks Ryan Kavanaugh for his gracious gift to Hadassah Medical Organization in Jerusalem and commends his efforts to support institutions that are 'Bridges to Peace' such as Hadassah hospitals which treat both Israeli and Palestinian patients even at times of unrest in the region. Since it first opened in 1935, Hadassah Medical Organization has successfully catered to all the different peoples of the greater Jerusalem area and Israel – Jews, Christians and Muslims, Israelis and Palestinians. Our staff and the physicians who train at our hospitals also reflect the multicultural populations of the region. Hadassah Medical Organization leads the way with advancement in medical research in ALS, breast and colon cancer, trauma and emergency medicine, diabetes, macular degeneration, multiple sclerosis, AIDS, Parkinson's disease and cardiac health."

About Ryan Kavanaugh

Ryan Kavanaugh is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Relativity, a next-generation studio. The company is engaged in multiple aspects of entertainment, including film and television financing, production and distribution; music publishing; sports management and digital media. Kavanaugh is a highly successful producer and global expert in film finance. Under his leadership, Relativity has produced, distributed or structured financing for more than 200 motion pictures generating more than $17 billion in worldwide box-office revenue and earning 60 Oscar® nominations.

A devoted philanthropist, Kavanaugh serves as chairman of the board for The Art of Elysium, an organization that encourages artists to donate their time and talents to children battling serious medical conditions. He is a recipient of the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Board of Governors' Hollywood Humanitarian Award and the Anti-Defamation League's 2011 Entertainment Industry Award. In recognition of his dedication to helping inner-city youth, he was presented with the Sheriff's Youth Foundation Community Champion Award.

SOURCE Relativity