Engaging Story
Jacey Simon, daughter of Gene and Camille Simon of Northridge, has accepted the wedding proposal of Mathew “Mak” Kahn, son of Barry and Mimi Kahn of Santa Ana. Mak and Jacey were the first people Elana Simon introduced at the JYA launch party in February of 2013. JYA stands for the Jewish Community Center’s Young Adults and is a group of 21- to 35-year-olds out of the Merage JCC of Orange County.
Jacey came down from Los Angeles for the event to support her sister, Elana, the director of JYA. Elana says that three other couples have also met at JYA events and have developed relationships, but this is JYA’s first engagement. The couple plans to marry this August.
Elana explains that JYA is not a singles group; however, she is happy to help young Jewish singles meet their special someone through these events. She emphasizes that JYA includes young adults in the Jewish community ages 21 to 35 whether they are single, in a relationship, divorced or married, and with or without children. The group is intended to meet the varied needs of Jewish young adults: socially, athletically, culturally, spiritually, academically, personally and more. To send your well wishes to Jacey and Mak, please e-mail jaceyrsimon@gmail.com. For more information about JYA, which is celebrating its anniversary this month with a big party, please contact elanasimon@jccoc.org.
TBY Milestone Anniversary Gala
Temple Bat Yahm will celebrate its 40th anniversary at the March 1 “Crusin’ through the Years” gala. A number of TBY members, representing different decades of (their) age, will be recognized for their volunteer contributions through the years. These dedicated volunteers of the Newport Beach congregation include Winnie and Shelly Ross, Martin and Tamar Brower, Helene and Mike Jacobs, Sorrell and Newt Wayne, Ronda Kushner, Ian and Tami Ingram and Susan and Daryl Miller.
The 6:30 p.m. event, chaired by Temple Bat Yahm members Denise Molnar and Ian Feigelman, will include the best aspects of a cruise without leaving dry land, according to organizers, who cited “the superb ambiance, fun high-roller casino, delicious gourmet buffet and premium interactive entertainment.” The cost is $118 per ticket, and opportunities to pay tribute to the honorees are available.
For details, call Temple Bat Yahm at (949) 644-1999.
TBE Anniversary Gala
Temple Beth Emet will hold its 58th Anniversary Journal Champagne Brunch on Sunday, February 16, at 11 a.m. at the Marriott Anaheim Suites (Chapman Avenue and Harbor Boulevard in Garden Grove). Honorees are: Rabbi Joel Berman, Rabbi Mordecai Kieffer, Cantor Zev Brooks, Shirley Glowalla, Carren Pulverman and Grace Hasson.
Brunch tickets are $50 per person. There are opportunities to pay tribute to the honorees in the journal that the Anaheim congregation is producing.
For details, call Temple Beth Emet at (714) 772-4720.
Shave for the Brave
Congregation B’nai Tzedek’s rabbis, David N. Young and Stephen J. Einstein, are two participants in “36 Rabbis Shave for the Brave.” This project, coordinated nationally by the congregation’s former rabbi, Rebecca Einstein Schorr, brings attention to the fact that less than 4 percent of research funding for cancer goes to children’s cancer — the #1 killer of young people in our nation. In solidarity with children undergoing chemotherapy, the rabbis will shave their heads at the March convention of the Central Conference of American Rabbis.
To offer support, visit www.stbaldricks.org/teams/mypage/87922/2014.
Fashion for a Cause
The Saddleback-Laguna Hills Group of Hadassah will hold a fashion show at the Mission Viejo Country Club on Monday, February 17, at 10 a.m. There will be a fashion show by Chico’s, Mission Viejo, as well as a luncheon and raffle prizes. The fundraiser supports Hadassah’s heart health program. For more information, call (949) 586-3226.
Chorus of Cantors
Temple Beth Sholom Sisterhood presents “Beautiful Music with a Chorus of Cantors” as this year’s offering in the Maxine Horwitz Cultural Series. Performing are Cantors Gabi Arad, Shannon McGrady Bane, Jennifer Bern-Vogel, Paul Buch, Sue Deutsch, Linda Ecker, Michael Kanter, Juval Porat, David Reinwald, Billy Tiep and Marcia Tilchin with Barbara Siegel on the piano.
The concert is slated for Sunday, February 9, with a reception at 3:15 p.m. and the performance at 4:15 p.m. at the temple in Santa Ana. Tickets are $9 for adults and $5 for children.
Celebrating “Papa” Gelman
Beth Jacob Congregation of Irvine invites the Orange County Jewish Community to celebrate Irving Gelman’s 90th birthday on Sunday, February 16, at 5 p.m. at the Merage Jewish Community Center. Gelman, a Holocaust survivor, has provided exceptional opportunities for Jewish education to families and continues to be a guiding light for many Jewish journeys. For more information, contact Congregation Beth Jacob of Irvine at (949) 786-5230.
Principal Figure
Jill Quigley will join Tarbut V’Torah as principal of the middle and upper schools for the 2014-15 school year. Quigley, who holds a master’s degree in Jewish Studies from Emory University and a bachelor’s degree in English from Arizona State University, was head of Jewish Studies, dean of students and then interim head of the upper school at San Diego Jewish Academy.