it is with great sadness that we mark the passing of Arnold Feuerstein, z”l. Arnold was a Jewish Community Foundation co-founder and longtime member of the board of directors. Along with his good friend Allan Fainbarg (z”l), Arnold generously donated the land and the building of the Jewish Federation Campus of Orange County on Baker Street in Costa Mesa, which operated from 1987 to 2004. Proceeds from the sale of that campus made the Jewish Federation’s gift the second largest to the campaign for the Samueli Jewish Campus, established in 2004 and now home to Jewish Federation & Family Services, the Merage JCC, the Bureau of Jewish Education, the Jewish Community Foundation of Orange County, Hillel Foundation of Orange County, Jlife O.C. magazine and Tarbut V’Torah.
After serving in the Air Force during the second World War, Arnold began dating his beloved future wife, Ruth (z”l). He became a successful residential developer in the Los Angeles area, initially building low-priced housing for post-WWII veterans. After enjoying time at a vacation home in Newport Beach, he and Ruth permanently moved to Orange County in 1982 and lived on Lido Island.
Throughout the years, Arnold was known for his keen sense of humor and great storytelling. In addition to his devoted support and involvement with the Jewish Community Foundation and Jewish Federation & Family Services, Arnold was involved with Congregation B’nai Israel in Tustin, Heritage Pointe and the Bureau of Jewish Education. The Feuersteins were passionate about establishing a strong foundation for the Jewish community of Orange County, in order to sustain and enhance Jewish life here.
The funeral was held on Wednesday, November 11, at Mt. Sinai Memorial Park Cemetery, 5950 Forest Lawn Drive, Los Angeles.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Feuerstein children, Roberta and Elliot, and four grandchildren. May they be comforted among all the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem, and may Arnold’s memory be a blessing.
