Stanley Sheinbaum

Stanley K. Sheinbaum (June 12, 1920 – September 12, 2016) was an American peace and human rights activist. One of the so-called Malibu Mafia, Sheinbaum joined with other wealthy Angelenos to fund liberal and progressive causes and politicians. He organized the legal defense of Daniel Ellsberg who had released the Pentagon Papers, and he initiated Israel–Palestine talks which eventually brought about the Oslo Accords of 1993. in New York City. His father was in the leather goods business. The family lost its money during the Great Depression. While in high school, Sheinbaum took a job after school as a sewing machine operator.

Sheinbaum was drafted into the army during World War II and assigned to making aviation maps. When discharged, he applied to 33 colleges on the GI Bill, but was rejected due to his poor grades. He returned to high school, and after graduating, was accepted at Oklahoma State University–Stillwater (Oklahoma A&M), where he excelled. After a year, he transferred to Stanford University and became an economics teacher. While there, he became the administrator of a 54-person Sheinbaum eventually discovered that the university was providing cover for an ongoing Central Intelligence Agency operation. In 1959, he resigned from the project.

Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions After leaving Michigan State University, Sheinbaum moved to Santa Barbara, California, and became part of a think tank headed by educational philosopher Robert Hutchins called the "Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions". There he met and fell in love with Betty Warner, daughter of film mogul Harry Warner, who was also an activist. They married in 1964.

MSUG project While doing research into America's involvement in Southeast Asia, journalist Robert Scheer discovered the MSUG project. He found documents providing evidence that MSUG had been involved in the torture of Vietnamese nationals.

Arafat agreement Along with the Palestinian Intifada, Sheinbaum assembled a team of Jews to meet with Yasir Arafat to persuade him to disavow terrorism and recognize Israel's right to exist. Anticipating that Arafat would question his credentials, Sheinbaum first held a meeting with then-National Security Advisor of the United States Colin Powell, explaining the situation. Five days later, Sheinbaum received a letter from President Ronald Reagan stating that if Arafat would fulfill his promises, the United States would "be responsive". The effort culminated in Yitzak Rabin and Arafat shaking hands at the White House in 1993 before President Clinton. Ultimately, Arafat did not fulfill his agreement, resulting in criticism of Sheinbaum. Helped found People for the American Way Modern art and craft collector (with his wife, Betty Sheinbaum)

Death Sheinbaum died at his home in Brentwood on September 12, 2016. He was 96.