OFJCC Honors Past Presidents and Celebrates Community at its Annual Fundraiser Gala and Auction

Feb. 8, 2013 - PRLog -- Nearly 500 patrons gather annually to make this the premier fundraising gala of the year, netting vitally needed funds to provide financial assistance to many of our preschool, daycare, day camp, Hebrew school families and provide support for our array of senior services.

The theme of the evening, “Our Mosaic Journey,” honors our history and celebrates the vibrant community the OFJCC is today. Thirty years ago, through the efforts of many in the local community, the JCC opened a beautiful new Center on the site of a former Palo Alto middle school. But by the early 2000s, shifting demographics resulted in the Palo Alto Unified School District reclaiming the Terman School site. The JCC then moved to temporary quarters at Cubberley Community Center. In 2009, the JCC opened its doors on the Taube Koret Campus for Jewish Life, its first permanent home, fulfilling the Palo Alto community’s long held dream of providing a thriving neighborhood for richly rewarding Jewish life.

The OFJCC is indebted to the visionary leaders who have guided its evolution— its past presidents. “Each president made a unique contribution to the OFJCC, steering the organization through challenges and laying the foundation for the vibrant community we enjoy today,” said Gala Co-chair Hilary Luros.  

Leading up to the Gala, an online auction will offer a variety of services such as vacation packages, family photography sessions, spa services, gift certificates to local restaurants and more. Online Bidding begins on Monday, February 18 and ends on Friday, March 1 at 3:00 PM PST. The auction will be accessible through the OFJCC website at http://www.paloaltojcc.org/gala.

Limited-edition $100-a-ticket-raffle tickets also go on sale in February. The grand prize is a 24-carat peridot from Steven Silver Fine Jewelry. Other prizes include tickets to Dancing with the Stars, a Las Vegas package and a cake a month from SusieCakes.

“One hundred percent of the money raised goes to OFJCC programs and financial assistance,” Luros said. “Bidding generously on items is a fun and easy way to contribute to the OFJCC community.”

Past presidents who will be honored include:

•   Kate Feinstein
•   Judith Moss
•   Bonnie Tenenbaum
•   Loren Saxe
•   Harvey Koch z”l
•   Jim Brooks z”l
•   Barbara Weiss
•   Les Burger
•   Ric Rudman    
•   Reba Cohen
•   Lorraine Shevelle z”l
•   Pete Slosberg
•   Carol Saal
•   Alex Joffe z”l
•   Steve Bauman
•   Bruce Fram
•   Paul Resnick
•   Daryl Messinger

Corporate sponsors of the Oshman Family JCC Gala and Auction include Berman & Gladstone Skin Institute, Stephen Silver Fine Jewelry, Crescent Capital Mortgage Professionals, Mokafive, Steinberg Architects, Moldaw Family Residences, Gideon Hausner Jewish Day School and HighCom Security Services.

For more information about the Gala and Auction or to purchase tickets, go to www.paloaltojcc.org/gala.

About the Oshman Family JCC

The Oshman Family Jewish Community Center (OFJCC) on the Taube Koret Campus for Jewish Life serves the South Peninsula through educational, social, cultural, fitness, sports and other programs. The OFJCC is a multi-generational Jewish neighborhood where all are welcome and which fosters new personal and community connections through rich and rewarding experiences. The OFJCC provides a common ground for Jewish institutions, other local groups, organizations and individuals to work, learn and play together for the betterment of the whole community. For more information, visit www.paloaltojcc.org or call (650) 223-8700.

Press is invited to cover this community-wide event. For a press pass, to receive pictures, or arrange interviews, contact Jessica Brooks at (650) 223-8663 or jbrooks@paloaltojcc.org.