Hundreds Attend Toronto Film Screening

A pre-screening of a new film in Toronto last Wednesday evening attracted hundreds of Toronto’s residents.

Approximately 500 people came out to see The Fighter, an incredible true story following a young fighter. The program by the UJA’s media and entertainment division was sponsored by Rachelle Bronfman along with Alliance Films and the Sheppard Grande.

“I decided to sponsor the event and help the UJA media and entertainment division expand their reach into the Jewish community,” Bronfman told Shalom Life. “There are many people who are connected in some way to the entertainment and media field and are Jewish but don't know that UJA has a media and entertainment division.”

Bronfman, who is a well-known philanthropist in the community and owner of the Powerclub personal training club, decided to sponsor this particular program due to her belief that UJA’s media and entertainment division has a lot to offer for those connected to the industry. Several months ago she helped sponsor a UJA evening featuring Dan Aykroyd, another media and entertainment division event.

In addition to the movie screening, the evening also featured an address by UFC of Canada President Tom Wright, who works out at the Powerclub with his entire staff.

“Not only has the UFC staff been training at my club but we are teaching them about the Jewish people and they have come to love and support us Jews,” Bronfman said. “During Tom's speech he was so supportive of the Jewish community and showed enormous respect and understanding of what UJA does for our people. He commended the Jewish community for continuing to push forward even with great obstacles and challenges that continue to face them. He said it was much like a fighter whose opponent wants to beat him down but he has to rise up and keep pushing forward in order to reach his goal. One thing that he loves about the Jewish community is that we never give up.”

Also attending the event was Toronto journalist Michael Coren, whose father was Jewish and a boxer. Bronfman said that Coren, who also works out daily at Powerclub, was “thrilled to come and support UJA at my request.”

Finally, the evening featured 22-year-old Jewish fighter Roman Abramovich who was introduced to the crowd. Abramovich is originally from Israel but now lives in Toronto and is a Judo champion who won the Quebec Open just over a month ago. Abramovich, who has his goals set on the Olympics and the UFC eventually, is also the World champion in Sambo (a Russian form of martial arts). “Roman shyly stood up and waved for the first time to his fellow Jews here in Toronto--it was very heartwarming for all there,” described Bronfman. “Roman's skills and athletic abilities in the Martial arts are at the highest level and he was thrilled to be at the event supporting the community.”

Bronfman said that she was “shocked” at the success of the program and the large numbers it attracted. She encourages the community to give back by donating to UJA.

“What people can do in return is to help UJA through their donations,” she said. “These donations are a way to help UJA help the wider community in Toronto on so many levels and for so many different needs.”