Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA (1888PressRelease)
August 17, 2008 - Birthright Hollywood, a new initiative to improve the relationship between the entertainment industry and the State of Israel, was launched today in California.
Birthright Hollywood will sponsor 5-day trips to Israel for Hollywood celebrities who have never visited Israel in the past. Birthright Hollywood's goals are to diminish the division between Hollywood and Israel; to strengthen the sense of solidarity between celebrities and Israel; and to strengthen participants' personal connection to Israel.
“I hope to bring Hollywood celebrities—such as Will Smith, Tom Hanks, Miley Cyrus, Kanye West, Angelina Jolie and Oprah Winfrey—to Israel for 5-day visits. Birthright Hollywood will sponsor these educational trips for celebrities in order to strengthen the sense of solidarity between the entertainment industry and Israel,” says Mark Hardie, founder of Birthright Hollywood and its parent organization, The Hollywood Israel Foundation.
Birthright Hollywood also plans to invite musicians such as Bono,
Foo Fighters, Metallica, Jonas Brothers and Diddy to Israel.
“Birthright Hollywood will work to change Hollywood’s negative portrayal of Israel and its issues. We challenge these talented Hollywood role models to become more educated on the Jewish state in an enriching 5-day trip. Birthright Hollywood will work tirelessly to change the way that the Holy Land is portrayed in the media,” says Hardie.
“There are many in Hollywood who don’t want to be identified with the complexities that surround the state of Israel,” according to Irv Weintraub chief operating office of the William Morris Agency. Birthright Hollywood’s primary purpose is to address these types of concerns.
Birthright Hollywood is a unique, historic partnership between the entertainment industry, Israel and the Jewish community.
Mark Hardie, a former soldier in the Israel Defense Forces and former special assistant to the Governor of California, is the author of the recently published book, “The King of Israel”.
For more information www.myspace.com/birthrighthollywood; to schedule an interview with Mark Hardie birthrighthollywood ( @ ) yahoo dot com
###
