Jewish Center Celebration
About 380 people were on hand March 30 for the Celebration Ball at the Merage Jewish Community Center of Orange County in Irvine. The event honored the center’s namesake family, particularly matriarch Katherine Merage, who came from Iran with husband Andres. Sons Paul and David Merage started Chef America, inventor of Hot Pockets, and sold the company to Nestl & #233; SA in 2002. Son Cameron Merage started and runs Costa Mesa real estate brokerage First Team Real Estate. The event was “a celebration of an American and an immigrant family in one,” said Merage Foundations Director Marshall Kaplan. “It reflects one family’s unique love of America, success through the opportunity provided in America and generations of commitment to America. It also reflects a pride in being part of the Jewish community in America and Israel.” The black tie affair, themed “A Night of Wonders a Precious Legacy,” was chaired by Laurie Katz and Cindy Furst. It raised more then $200,000 for Jewish youth programs and scholarships.
,Gloria Zigner
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Attendees: Ariela Shani (Fashion Island Neiman Marcus), husband Asa Shani (GolfSwing Products) |
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Attendees: Janine Segal (left, Access Lighting), husband David Segal (Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher); Barry Kahn (A-1 Foam & Fabric); Irv Chase (S & A; Properties); Dan Bernstein (Merage Jewish Community Center) |
