Award-winning film and television actress Marlee Matlin was the keynote speaker at the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County’s Fourth Annual Star Celebration Feb. 26. Presented by the Jewish Federation’s Women’s Division, the community-wide outreach event was held at the Mizner Center at the Boca Raton Resort & Club. The annual Star Celebration takes its name from the Book of Daniel in the Bible: “And those who turn the many to tzedakah (“charity”) will shine like the stars for ever and ever.” Organizers said that the event is designed to educate women about the Jewish Federation’s mission and get them interested and involved in “repairing the world”. Matlin has had recurring roles on such TV shows as “Judging Amy,” “The Practice” and “West Wing.” She made Hollywood history in 1987 when, at age 21, she became the youngest performer to receive the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in the film “Children of a Lesser God.” She is one of only four actresses to win the Oscar for a debut performance. Her children’s novel, “Deaf Child Crossing,” was published in September. A native of Morton Grove, Ill., Matlin began acting at age 7 and attended Chicago’s Congregation Bene Shalom/ Hebrew Association for the Deaf, where she learned English, Hebrew and sign language. At her bat mitzvah, she signed and spoke her Torah portion. Now a mother of three, Matlin also serves as spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Red Cross.