Debra Gonsher Vinik
Dr. Debra Gonsher Vinik, Ph.D. is a producer and writer of faith-based and social justice documentary films. In 1985 she founded the production company Diva Communications, Inc. which she currently co-owns with her husband David Vinik. Diva Communications specializes in video for broadcast, cable, internet and marketing use. Dr. Gonsher Vinik has produced and written eighteen documentaries, ten of which have been nominated for Emmy awards (see Film section below) and four of which have won the honors: And The Gates Opened (2007), The Eternal Light (2008), Yearning To Belong (2009) and Divine Prescription: Stories of Faith, Health and Community (2013). Her films have been shown at festivals worldwide. Most recently Every Word Has Power: The Poetry of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel (2015), nominated for an Emmy, screened at the Washington Jewish Music Festival in June 2016. Her films are annually included on the ABC- Television series, Visions and Values.
These films address such subjects as community and inclusion for persons with disabilities, hunger in America, intimate partner violence and healthcare. Most recently Dr. Gonsher Vinik finished Beauty of Their Dreams, which aired on ABC affiliated stations in April through July 2016, and focused on the role of people of faith advocating for girls' education worldwide. Filming took place in New York, Boston, Haiti, Rwanda and Uganda.
Her newest project, tentatively entitled, Entertaining Angels, examines the role of faith groups in immigration reform and refugee settlement, and is scheduled to air on ABC affiliated stations in Fall 2017.
Dr. Gonsher Vinik worked as a producer at Bravo Magazine and was head of production for both CBS/Fox Video and Scanline Video. She earned her Ph.D. in Theatre Criticism from the City University of New York and is currently a Professor and Chairperson of the Communication Arts and Sciences Department at Bronx Community College of the City University of New York.
Dr. Gonsher Vinik runs the website Mincha Moment, which is devoted to the daily practice of gratitude. In 2013 the Mincha Moment entitled Grateful For The Partial, featuring Rabbi Irwin Kula, was nominated for an Emmy Award. Gonsher Vinik was subsequently invited to contribute an article named “Practicing Gratitude” of WELCA's Bold Cafe.
Dr. Gonsher Vinik also leads Diva Communications in the creation of web and mobile ap content. In 2010 she created Morning Thoughts and Evening Meditations, for the Odyssey Networks' Call on Faith mobile app. Though no longer operational, Call on Faith was a library of short inspirational videos, available both online and on mobile devices.
Dr. Gonsher Vinik has written two books and one textbook:
- Gonsher, Debra A., and Joshua Halberstam. The Community College Guide: The Essential Reference from Application to Graduation. Dallas, TX: BenBella, 2009. Print.
- -----------------------. Career Speak: Articulation and Presentation. Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt, 2005. Print.
- -----------------------. Embracing Judaism: Personal Narratives of Renewed Faith. Northvale, NJ: Jason Aronson, 1999. Print.
Dr. Gonsher Vinik is also the secretary/treasurer for the Interfaith Broadcasting Commission of New York City. Debra Gonsher Vinik was asked to speak at WELCA's triennial in 2014 for about her documentary I Believe You; Faith's Response to Intimate Partner Violence at WELCA'S triennial in 2014, and will be joining their next triennial in 2017, to screen and to speak about Beauty of Their Dreams.
Films written and produced by Dr. Gonsher Vinik include:
Films
| Entertaining Angels | Pre-Production | |
| The Beauty of Their Dreams (2016) | ABC | (completed) |
| Every Word Has Power'' (2015) | ABC | (Emmy Nomination, 2016) |
| All of the Above' (2014) | ABC | |
| Divine Prescription (2013) | ABC | 2014 NY Emmy |
| A Peace of Bread (2011) | ABC | RNA 2nd place |
| I Believe You: Faiths’ Response to Intimate Partner Violence(2010) | ABC & NBC | Emmy Nomination, RNA 3rd |
| A Place for All: Faith and Community for Persons with Disabilities (2009) | ABC & NBC | Emmy Nomination, De Rose Hinkhouse 1st place |
| Yearning to Belong (2009) | ABC & NBC | 2009 NY Emmy |
| Everyone Prays at Holy Etchmiadzin (2008) | ABC & PBS | Emmy Nomination |
| And the Gates Opened: Women in the Rabbinate (2007) | ABC & NBC | 2008 NY Emmy |
| The Eternal Light: A Historical Retrospective (2006) | ABC & NBC | 2007 NY Emmy |
| Legacy of Our Ancestors: The 350th Anniversary of Jews in Early America (2004) | ABC & NBC | |
| The Highest Commandment (2003) | ABC & NBC | |
| Faith First (2002) | ABC & NBC | Emmy Nomination |
| A Sacred Noise (2001) | ABC & NBC | |
| To God’s Ear: Song and Music of the Jewish Liturgy (2000) | ABC & NBC | Emmy Nomination |
| Grateful, Am I, To You (1999) | ABC & NBC | 1st prize, Education Category, 7th Annual International Jewish Film Festival |
| Embracing Judaism: Reaching In, Reaching Out, Reaching Up (1995) | ABC & NBC |