1000 WORDS

Renowned Fashion Designer Elie Tahari

The 71-year-old Israeli fashion designer Elie Tahari is famous for his pantsuits, including those in which he personally dressed Hillary Clinton in the 1990s. With his development of the more accessible label, Theory, and lines for discount clothing stores like TJ Maxx, the pantsuit eventually became a fashion staple for a wide range of working women. But it went temporarily obsolete during the two-plus years of the coronavirus pandemic, which left many women opting for sweatsuits.

“Fashion changed completely,” Tahari said from his N.J. home, alternating between Hebrew and English. “It became more casual, price-conscious.”

Tahari didn’t change his style to suit the post-pandemic trend, but he left the model that had produced his astounding success: storefronts and department stores.

“I made the collection online only,” he said.

Not only was the move profitable, he said, but the lockdowns presented him with the opportunity to share his personal story, almost literally rags to riches. The documentary “The United States of Elie Tahari” came out in 2021 and is now available on Amazon.

Aria For A Fashion Artist

Two months before the pandemic, Tahari had met David Serero, an opera singer of Moroccan and Persian descent, at the Sephardic Film Festival that Serero produces.

Serero, too, found his business—live performances—upended by COVID-19, he said from his home in Paris.

“It was more about what was available to watch,” he said. “I said, ‘I have to go into movies.’”

In Tahari’s life story, Serero was fascinated by the way that a homeless, Persian-Israeli émigré to New York City had risen to become a fashion maestro.

The interviews that Serero conducted in Manhattan with Tahari form the centerpiece of what is essentially a tribute film, which also features movers and shakers of the fashion world. Those include

Melissa Rivers (an actress and daughter of Joan, who also appears in the film); the designers Nicole Miller and Dennis Basso; and Fern Mallis, the Sephardi Jew who founded New York Fashion Week. Journalist and television host Katie Couric is also featured.

The documentary, which Serero directed and produced, hit film festivals last year. It was screened publicly in July, coinciding with Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week. (With the unrest in Paris, turnout was lower than expected, and Tahari appeared by live video feed.)

From Park Bench To Park Avenue

Tahari was born in Jerusalem in 1952 to Iranian-born parents who found life too difficult in the ma’abarot—the tent cities set up around the periphery of the burgeoning country mainly for immigrant Jews from Middle Eastern countries.

He was just a year old when he, his parents and his six siblings moved back to Iran. Four years later, they returned to Israel, eventually settling in Sderot. His mother suffered from epilepsy, so Tahari was raised in an Israeli orphanage. Tailoring was one of the few professions open to Jews in Iran. Tahari’s father had worked as a fabric merchant, and his mother as a seamstress.

When Tahari moved to New York in 1971, he brought an inherited love for fabric and just $60. (That’s about $450 today accounting for inflation, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.) In the film, he described someone telling him: “New York is a Jewish city. I’m sure that there are many agencies that could help you.” Ultimately, he got ahead with that typical Israeli chutzpah.

The man, who slept on Central Park benches for several months when he could no longer afford a YMCA bed became a literal millionaire by transforming a simple piece of fabric—the “rag” that turned him into a rich man.

Working at an Israeli-owned clothing boutique in Manhattan and speaking with female customers about what they liked and needed, he invented the tube top—a fabric stylishly draped around a woman’s torso. He snuck into a trunk show and received his first order for 250,000 pieces at $2 each.

The documentary portrays Tahari as a generally clean-cut, downto-earth and humble designer in an industry known for excess and hyper-glamour. Models often tower over Tahari at fashion shows in the film, but Serero attributes the designer’s success to listening to average women and what they were looking for.

The film portrays none of the industry’s dark side—cutthroat competition, drug abuse, even murder—the kind dramatized in recent films about Gucci, Halston and Versace. “At the end of the day, he never had a scandal,” Serero said.

He opted not to portray Tahari’s dispute with a former business partner in the film. And, Tahari admitted, there was partying along the way. After all, his first fashion show occurred at the infamous Studio 54. “There were periods when I was confused, and when I got swept away into the ego and the drugs,” Tahari said. “But I came back to myself.”

The Kabbalah Centre New York is no Studio 54 in the 1970s, but the center, whose most famous congregant was Madonna, has been no stranger to controversy. Tahari had a positive experience, which helped ground him.

“I was, for many years, a student of the Kabbalah Center,” he said. “It taught me to stand on my own two feet, to value people and to

treat people with respect.”

Tahari wasn’t religiously observant growing up, though he attended a religious high school for two years at Kfar Chabad in Israel.

“I think religion is wonderful, but I’m not connected to it,” he said.

The former Israeli Air Force mechanic remains an avowed Zionist. “Israel is the center of my life,” Tahari said.

Serero compares Tahari’s success to that of Ralph Lauren (also Jewish) and Giorgio Armani, who are among the few to remain at the helm of their fashion empires after more than 45 years.

At least for now, the Elie Tahari brand (which has a multibilliondollar value, per Serero) is not poised to become a family business. His college-aged son and daughter are interested in real estate and psychology, respectively.

Whether for designers, real estate agents or psychologists, Tahari believes in the American dream, he said.

“It’s more difficult now,” he said. “But there is still more opportunity in the United States than any country in the world.”

STANDWITHUS THE RIGHT ORGANIZATION AT THE RIGHT TIME s we know all too well, antisemitism is on the rise, especially in our high schools and colleges. At UCSD, a dorm bathroom was vandalized with a swastika made from fecal matter and the Menorah was vandalized at SDSU Chabad House.

What fuels antisemitism? According to StandWithUs (SWU) CEO Roz Rothstein, “Ignorance is one of the greatest threats to the Jewish people, because it makes people vulnerable to lies and misinformation.” This leads to anger at Israel and resentment against anyone who support Israel. AntiIsrael groups promote falsehoods and taint Zionism. At SWU, we feel strongly that anti-Zionism is the modern manifestation of antisemitism.

Standwithus Is Here To Help

SWU was founded in 2001 during the terrorist war against Israel, by Roz (CEO) and Jerry (COO) Rothstein together with President Esther Renzer and other community leaders. Recognizing the lack of available solid information coupled with the promotion of misinformation, the founders of StandWithUs realized that a key to winning the war for hearts and minds, is education. I am excited to carry on this vital work in our region.

In 2006, SWU opened the Israel office and created the prestigious Israel Fellowship on Israeli universities. In 2007, SWU created the Emerson Fellowship on North American campuses, and in 2012, the Kenneth Leventhal High School Internship was born. Each year, these programs select, train and empower hundreds of student leaders at hundreds of schools throughout North America as well as Israel, the UK, Brazil and South Africa to educate their peers about Israel and combat antisemitism. I am proud to say that I was a SWU Israel Fellow after my army service in Israel, while I was studying at the IDC in Herzilya!

StandWithUs also has departments and resources ready to help students, parents, teachers and community members respond to antisemitic actions and to bring education to schools, synagogues and institutions. The StandWithUs Saidoff Legal Department empowers people through a legal response and the Holocaust Education Center (HEC) brings interactive programs and curriculums to schools and communities. We offer a middle school curriculum, IsraelLINK, to enhance the connection between young teens and Israel. We also offer print and online materials on a variety of topics and in different languages.

The StandWithUs Center for Combating Antisemitism (CCA) addresses the continued rise of antisemitism through education and responsive action, including new strategies through legal means. Antisemitic incidents can be reported by going to https://standuptohatred.com/report

Getting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism adopted by universities and other institutions is a significant agenda of the CCA.

Standwithus Responds To Antisemitic Incidents In San Diego

This year, SWU SD responded to antisemitic incidents in the community and schools. Students who faced challenges and worked with StandWithUs were infused with confidence knowing that SWU supported them as they dealt with the challenges they were facing.

Leventhal Intern Noa from Urban Discovery School, was the only Jewish student at her school. She was targeted with finger gun points and “Heil Hitler” salutes at her school. With the support of SWU, she opened communication with the principal. It resulted in Noa and the StandWithUs Southern California HS manager bringing a program about antisemitism to the entire school. They also provided the administration with the tools needed to help make Jewish students like Noa feel protected. We are delighted to honor Noa at the upcoming Gala.

When a student at Bonita Vista High School renamed a document, “Hitler Did Nothing Wrong” on Holocaust Remembrance Day, Kenneth Leventhal Intern, Anna, requested that the school administration condemn antisemitism and hold a program to teach the students about antisemitism in the 21st century. They issued a statement strongly condemning the incident. The administration also invited Anna to present to the 10th grade (300 students) on Holocaust denial, how to identify antisemitism and how to combat this age-old hate.

Shani, SWU Emerson Fellow and board member of UCSD Tritons for Israel, together with Hillel, organized a dynamic Israel week, involving hundreds of students in a campus-wide rally to show solidarity with Israel and the Jewish community.

Tali, who is a StandWithUs Emerson Fellow and also serves as a Board member of SDSU Students Supporting Israel (SSI), joined with SDSU Hillel for a campus-wide “Fighting Antisemitism” mega event with more than one thousand student and community attendees.

Integral to combating antisemitism is instilling and reinforcing people’s love for and connection to Israel and the Jewish people. SWU San Diego offers programs that accomplish this in so many different ways, including working closely to support the work of the House of Israel in Balboa Park, where thousands of international tourists visit each weekend. SWU sponsors a community educator every week, SWU materials, and security to make sure that our local efforts to educate are safe from vandalism and/or intimidation. Yael Steinberg reminds us all that volunteers are always welcome and anyone interested should contact HOI directly.

TAKE ACTION, CONTACT US

In the battle against antisemitism and anti-Israel propaganda, we must unite with unwavering determination to educate broadly and break down the walls of ignorance. Together, we will build a future rooted in pride, understanding and respect.

I am so proud to join StandWithUs (SWU) as the Executive Director of the Southwest region. This new position encompasses San Diego County, Rancho Mirage, Orange County, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico and Colorado. San Diego will be the hub. Together with my associate director Yael Steinberg, I look forward to building and strengthening our community to meet StandWithUs’ mission of supporting Israel and fighting antisemitism.

Many of you already know me from my positions at FIDF (Friends of the IDF) and IAC (Israel-American Council). I look forward to seeing my friends and creating new relationships at my first StandWithUs San Diego “Leaders of Tomorrow” gala which will be held on October 15 at the Marriott Marquis SD Marina. Our keynote speaker is retired British army commander, Colonel Richard Kemp, a tireless defender of Israel who deeply appreciates the work of SWU.

We are delighted to be giving a well-deserved Lifetime Achievement Award to long-time board chairman Emeritus Micha Danzig. As in previous years, StandWithUs student leaders will share their inspiring stories at our memorable and uplifting event. For more information, visit standwithus.com/ sdgala2023 or email events@standwithus.com.

OZ LANIADO IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE STANDWITHUS SOUTHWEST REGION. HE HELD POSITIONS ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF A NASDAQ COMPANY AND SERVED AS THE SAN DIEGO REGIONAL DIRECTOR FOR THE ISRAELI AMERICAN COUNCIL (THE IAC) AND THE FIDF. HE SERVED IN THE IDF AND WAS A STANDWITHUS ISRAEL FELLOW WHILE ATTENDING THE IDC IN HERZILYIA. HE IS MARRIED WITH THREE CHILDREN.

Swu And The Judicial Debate In Israel

In recent months, we have seen tensions in Israel rise to alarming levels. Although the current debate is focused on Israel’s judicial system, it cuts deeper into divisions over what it means for different groups to coexist in a Jewish and democratic state. This has been very painful to watch from the outside and even more painful for many Israelis to experience.

Recently, the Israeli government passed the “reasonableness standard” bill, the first law in its push to decrease the power of the judicial branch. Supporters say this will stop abuses of power where the judiciary blocks government actions for political reasons, rather than legal ones. Critics say this will enable abuses of power by the government, such as appointing ministers who were previously convicted on corruption charges. The opposition has already filed lawsuits against the bill and promised to overturn it after the next election. Although there will be no further legislative moves until the next Knesset session in the Fall, intense protests are set to continue.

In his recent speech to Congress, Israel’s President Isaac Herzog said, “I know our democracy is strong and resilient. Israel has democracy in its DNA.” Recent months have shown the deep commitment that countless Israelis have to their country and its democratic values. There have also been displays of understanding and respect between those who strongly disagree, which inspire hope.

Efforts to bring about a compromise between the government and opposition are expected to take place in the coming months, but in the meantime serious tensions remain. Now more than ever, we believe it is crucial that even deep disagreements do not prevent us from remaining united around our love for Israel and the Jewish people. Unfortunately, those who seek to eliminate Israel are exploiting the current situation to spread more misinformation, amplify divisions, and further harm the world’s only Jewish state.

With that in mind, we are continuing to update our educational materials to help the public stay informed and better understand different perspectives in Israel. We encourage you to read our explainer on the judicial debate, and share it with your friends and family.

Additionally, we welcome your feedback about how we, as a non-partisan organization, can help you educate others and have productive conversations about these difficult issues.

We reaffirm our support of Israel, our pride in its Jewish and democratic values, and our hope that Israelis will find a way to resolve their differences and agree on a path forward.

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