Avram S. Dorion; Filmmaker, Writer

Avram S. Dorion, a writer who produced educational and technical films, has died in his native Berlin. He was 71.

A resident of Woodland Hills, Dorion died June 21 of a heart attack while on vacation, said his wife, Gale Dorion.

While in Palestine (later Israel) from 1936-50, Dorion received training as an actor at the Habimah Theatre. He came to the United States in 1950, serving as drama director for synagogues in the Los Angeles area, including Adat Ari El in North Hollywood. He also traveled the United States as a speaker on behalf of Hadassah, a Jewish women’s organization.

In the mid-1960s, Dorion founded Film Center and began producing educational and technical films on U.S. and black history. In 1968, the Council on International Non-Theatrical Events awarded Dorion its Golden Eagle Award for a film on black history. More recently, he operated an import company with his wife and wrote short stories and children’s stories.

Dorion was also active with Big Brothers and Toastmasters International.

He is survived by his wife of 10 years; daughter Deena Dorion of Cypress; and sister Naomi Brasky of Encino.

A funeral, with burial to follow, is scheduled for 10 a.m. Sunday at Eternal Light Chapel at Eden Memorial Park, 11500 Sepulveda Blvd. in Mission Hills. Groman-Eden Mortuary in Mission Hills is handling the arrangements. Dorion’s family is in the process of establishing a memorial foundation in his name for American writers who celebrate pluralism, his wife said.