Catalyst Miami Hosts the Southeastern Premiere of "MASKED" at GableStage

By: Cheryl Mizell, Communications Director

Just 3 days until Catalyst Miami's 11th Annual Theatre Event!

The Southeastern premiere of “Masked” is scheduled for 7:30 pm, Friday, July 8th at GableStage at the Biltmore.

MASKED, "an explosive Israeli play about three Palestinian brothers locked in a life-and-death struggle over issues of deception and betrayal," sparks an insightful dialogue between Jewish and Muslim communities.

 The opening reception features two faith leaders from the South Florida community at center stage, Rabbi Mitch Chefitz, Scholar-in-Residence at Temple Israel and Imam Dr. Nasir Ahmad of Mosque Masjid Al-Ansar, offering inter-denominational prayers that ground the audience's emotions and passion soon to be stirred by the play.

 This eleven year tradition between Catalyst Miami and GableStage attracts and pays tribute to South Florida's finest philanthropic and civic leaders such as John Anzivino, this year's honoree, while engaging the audience in thought provoking entertainment

A cocktail reception with invited cast members immediately follows at the piano bar in the adjacent Biltmore Hotel.

For ticket information or sponsorships, contact Monica Matteo-Salinas at 305.576.5001x22, monicas@hscdade.org  or visit www.hscdade.org

Daniella & Laura's Birthday Celebration Invitation!

 You are officially invited to Daniella Levine and Laura Levey's Birthday Bash Celebration!

“A Call to Prayer” at MASKED

By: Viviana Mauri, Communications Intern

Our 11^th Annual Theatre Event, MASKED, is “An explosive Israeli play about three Palestinian brothers locked in a life-and-death struggle over issues of deception and betrayal. Set in a village on the West Bank in 1990, it depicts the tragedy of one family torn between duty, kinship, principles and survival.” We are pleased to announce that we will start this special evening with “A Call to Prayer.” We will be joined by two faith leaders of our South Florida community who will each open and close the show in inter-denominational prayer.

The idea for the prayers came from Catalyst Miami’s President and CEO Daniella Levine who shared, “The play is about Palestinians in Israel, written by an Israeli but dealing with Palestinian brothers. It’s been called ‘explosive,’ so I know it’s going to stir a lot of emotions and passion. It seems impossible to resolve the crisis in the Middle East. Only when we’re called to a higher purpose can we understand possible solutions. The play depicts the conflict of two different faiths that actually share the same God and pray to the same God, in their own way. That is what inspired my idea of a Call to Prayer in the Muslim tradition. Even those who don’t believe in the power of prayer and who are not religious hopefully can gain from appreciating this message that bridges traditions of prayer and peace.”

Tickets are available at http://www.hscdade.org/ or by calling (305) 576-5001

Interview with Trudy Krasovic of SwitchBoard of Miami

In a recent conference call, I spoke with Trudy Krasovic of SwitchBoard of Miami about the potential budget cuts to social services and jobs and how they would affect her organization. Switchboard of Miami provides a confidential crisis hotline for people who find themselves in desperate situations. This organization receives approximately 180,000 calls per year. She commented that “If we lose funding, it would mean that we cannot hire as many counselors as we need…It’s very hard to find volunteers.” This would result in increased wait time for people who, for the most part, don’t have seconds to spare. Unfortunately, Switchboard of Miami serves as the only link that many of these people have to the outside world. Drastic cuts to social services would adversely affect not only numerous organizations receiving county funding, but also the hundreds of thousands of people that rely on these services to survive. Please support social services, such as SwitchBoard of Miami, and jobs by signing the Penny Wise Campaign PETITION!

Penny Wise Campaign Press Conference 6/15

Today, the Penny Wise Campaign held its first press conference at the Government Center in Downtown Miami. In attendance were representatives from various organizations, including: Human Services Coalition, MUJER, Curley’s House, Switchboard of Miami, Research Institute for Social and Economic Policy and Jewish Community Relations Council. WSVN-7 Fox and Telemundo 51 documented the event and filmed interviews. Numerous community members listened as representatives discussed how their organizations would be affected by massive budget cuts to social services and jobs. The Penny Wise Campaign brought along a 5-foot-tall penny and an enormous petition and delivered these items to Mayor Carlos Alvarez’s office after the press conference. Throughout the event, Penny Wise Intern Organizers gathered signature from community members, all of whom voiced enthusiasm about the campaign.

Caitlin & Cal Imagine Miami with construction paper and a window

Have you ever had an idea that would improve the community for everyone? So have we! Check out how Caitlin and I envision our office's block then let us know what you think this Friday at the Imagine Miami Changemaker Conference. Don't forget to sign up at www.hscdade.org.

Allegory of the Mountain: The Story of HSC

An allegorical journey into the inner workings of the Human Services Coalition.
DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in this production DO NOT represent those of the executive team and board of directors. This video was produced by two of our most promising young employees who sometimes let their imaginations take them to places most people simply are not prepared to encounter. So be warned, and enjoy the ride....