2019 EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

MIRY’S LIST AT THE SKIRBALL CULTURAL CENTER: LET MY PEOPLE COME

“In Spring 2019, the Skirball partnered with Miry’s List to create a public program: Let My People Come: A Passover Experience with Miry’s List New Arrivall Supper Club. This program brought Miry's List new arrival chefs to prepare a wonderful Passover-themed dinner. The evening featured a talk by Rabbi Sarah Bassin on welcoming the stranger as a Jewish value and a conversation between KCRW's Evan Kleiman and Syrian chef Abeer Aljrafi. The conversation explored Abeer’s leaving Syria and resettling with her family in Southern California with assistance from Miry’s List. The program was very well received with over 100 attendees—Jews, Muslims, old, young, families, new arrivals. Several attendees paid to underwrite the cost of the dinner for the Syrian families who attended.

“A wonderful opportunity for conversation between Americans and newly arrived refugees—truly a great way to welcome them to our community. Prior to the dinner, several of the refugee families toured the Skirball’s permanent exhibition, Visions and Values: Jewish Life from Antiquity to America.” Adele Lander Burke, Vice President, Public Programs Skirball Cultural Center

Photos by Nathan Marshall

MIRY’S LIST AT THE JANE CLUB: 2019 WORLD REFUGEE DAY AWARDS

Over 68 million people worldwide have been forced to flee their homes due to violence or persecution. Each year on June 20th, World Refugee Day honors those who are and have experienced migration and resettlement. Miry's List is a nonprofit organization serving over 300 families who have recently resettled in America as refugees from countries like Syria, Afghanistan, Iran and Iraq. On June 19, 2019, Miry's List presented the 2019 Leadership Award to our honorees, Rachel Bloom and Milana Vayntrub, who have gone above and beyond in supporting resettling families and our growing organization this year. Previous year recipients include Jenna Fischer and Lee Kirk.

75 guests gathered at The Jane Club in Los Angeles to celebrate 2019 World Refugee Day. The evening brought together the Miry's List community to indulge in classic comfort foods prepared by new arrival Syrian chef, Maaysa Kanjo. An elaborate and delicious Syrian dinner was served with wine and cocktails.

Photos by Christina Gandolfo

MIRY’S LIST AT FAIRMONT MIRAMAR HOTEL & BUNGALOWS: 2019 GRATITUDE GALA

On November 18, 2019, the Gratitude Gala brought together the Miry’s List community to indulge in a Thanksgiving feast like no other: Part Syrian, part Afghan, part Californian, prepared with love by new arrival chefs from Syria and Afghanistan alongside award-winning chefs at FIG Restaurant for a delicious cross-cultural exchange at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel and Bungalows in stunning Santa Monica. Hosted by actress and Miry’s List Boardmember Jenna Fischer, the 2019 Gratitude Award was presented by Miry’s List ambassador and host of KCRW’s Good Food, Evan Kleiman. Evan is passionate about connecting people around the table, breaking through cultural barriers, and making Los Angeles a more welcoming city for immigrants and refugees. The 2019 Gratitude Award was

presented to Chef Roy Choi, whose inspired platform has transcended cultural barriers and brought Angelenos together around shared food experiences. Los Angeles, a diverse city of immigrants is deeply enriched from Roy’s vision to challenge the status quo and advance social justice.

Photos by Christina Gandolfo