THE STARR AWARD STORY

Today (Monday, May 17, 2021) we learned of the passing of a Tampa Bay Jewish Film Festival icon, Mr. Jesse Starr.

During its Sweet 16 celebration year, the Tampa Bay Jewish Film Festival (tbjff) honored Film Festival Chair Emeritus, Jesse Starr, with an honorary award for his dedication and excellence to the tbjff. Jesse was one of our founders of the Tampa Bay Jewish Film Festival as well as a film aficionado and supporter of our Jewish community through many of his efforts being with Hillels of the Florida Suncoast, The Jewish Community Relations Council and his teachings for Israel advocacy as well as many other roles on committees within the Tampa JCCs and Federation organization. The Tampa Bay Jewish Film festival thanked Jesse for all of his effort, dedication and ambition and in so doing that the STARR AWARD was born. Since its inception in 2012 the STARR AWARD has been given to community members who are heavily involved with and who continually support the tbjff. 

Andrew and Mitchell Starr (sons of Myrna & Jesse Starr) ask that in loving memory of their father, in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to the Tampa Bay Jewish Film Festival. Checks should be made out to the Tampa JCCs and Federation at 13009 Community Campus Drive, Tampa, Florida 33625 attention Alissa Fischel. In the memo line please write in memory of Jesse Starr. 

The Tampa Bay Jewish Film Festival committee and participants will always remember the contribution from our founder and dear friend, Jesse Starr.