THE CROWD:Recalling the past, with hope for the future

Chapman University welcomed the community Tuesday night to remember the Holocaust. Organizers called the gathering “Voices for the Future: From the Holocaust to Darfur.”

Memorial Hall at Chapman was filled to standing room only as community leaders, including Rabbi Mark Miller of Temple Bat Yahm in Newport Beach, inspired the assemblage with words of hope and understanding. Miller’s message was especially poignant in light of the Virginia Tech killings this week. The rabbi was joined by Marilyn Harran, representing Chapman’s Stern Chair in Holocaust education, as well as the Rodgers Center for Holocaust Study and the Sala and Aron Samueli Holocaust Memorial Library. Harran moderated the spiritual event, punctuated by musical performances by the angelic tenor voice of Cantor Chayim Frenkel, accompanied by David Kamenir on piano, and Chapman student Kathleen Mangusing, a senior in the Chapman School of Music, performing Bach’s Sonata No. 1 in G minor on her violin.

The focus of the evening of remembrance was the presentation by Judea Pearl, father of the late Daniel Pearl, the Wall Street Journal writer who was murdered by terrorists in Pakistan in 2002. Pearl addressed the crowd following the introduction of Holocaust survivors including Zelda Gordon, Felicca Haberfeld, Sonja Rosenwald, George Sofer and Ken Torbiner accompanied by Chapman students and faculty who gathered to light commemorative candles during a moment of reflection and silent prayer for those 6 million Jews remembered, and for a world struggling today with matters of justice and peaceful resolution of conflict.

Pearl stood on a stage, behind him a large photograph of his beloved son projected on screen. He held back his own tears as he offered the message his son shared with his captors before his savage execution. “My father is a Jew. My mother is a Jew. I am a Jew,” Daniel Pearl said.

His father recounted the loss of his own grandparents at the hands of the Nazis in 1942, 60 years before his son would meet a similar fate at the hands of extremist killers in another time, another country, with the same heinous purpose. Daniel Pearl’s message, as reiterated by his father, was poetic. Evil actions may kill the man, but never the spirit. “The spirit of my son is eternal,” said Judea Pearl in a soft voice. The crowd was silent.

Reverend Daniel Oliver, director of Church Relations for Chapman University, concluded the program offering a benediction of peace, and inviting the audience to a nondenominational service in the All Faiths Chapel.

Habitat for Humanity of Orange County will host its fourth annual gala, Doorways to the Future, on April 28 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Newport Beach.

Some 250 guests are expected at the upcoming Saturday night gathering that will feature dinner, dancing and an awards presentation honoring valiant local donors and activists. The $325-per-person ticket to the dinner will benefit Habitat for Humanity programs building homes for local families in need. Since 1988 Habitat for Humanity has enabled low income families in Orange County to realize the dream of home ownership. Habitat for Humanity homes, built by the sweat equity of volunteers, are sold to qualified people for a 1% down payment, closing costs and come with a zero-interest mortgage. Newport’s Robin Sinclair serves as the director of special events for Habitat for Humanity.

Call Robin at (714) 434-6200, ext. 224, for more information on the upcoming fundraiser.

Tonight is the 14th annual Wild and Crazy Taco Night produced by Share Our Selves at their Superior Avenue facility in Costa Mesa. No tickets will be sold at the door.

The evening will feature the exotic taco creations of many of Orange County’s top chefs including Franco Barone, Alan Greeley, Carlito Jocson, Paul Squicciarini and Laurent Brazier to name only a few.

Organizers will welcome a huge crowd, donating $50 each and more to support the work of Share Our Selves serving the working poor in our community.

The Child Abuse Prevention Center held its ninth annual Bright Futures ball recently. The Balboa Bay Club was the setting for the Paris-themed evening honoring the Exchange Clubs of Orange County and local philanthropist Mike Harrah of Caribou Industries. Since 1983, the Prevention Center has served more than 165,000 O.C. residents including 17,000 children and 6,400 families last year alone.

One of the most popular spring luncheons on the social circuit will take place May 15 at the Irvine Marriott Hotel, as the 29th annual Gentlemen’s Haberdashery fashion extravaganza and luncheon welcomes the community.

Organizers are calling the show “Fashion with a Heart.” The event benefits the Heart of Jesus Retreat Center in Santa Ana and the work of the Sisters of the Society Devoted to the Sacred Heart. Chaired by Melinda and Tony Moiso, the event incorporates a men’s fashion show, which is always the talk of the town featuring high profile O.C. residents on the runway.

The event was originally started by the late Tom and Emma Jane Riley, and the torch has been passed to the Moisos and a number of local community leaders, including Donna and the late John Crean, Nancy and Jim Baldwin, Regina and Richard Hunsaker, Sandy and Doug Keedy, Jill and Pat Ortiz, Isabelle Villasenor, Nanette and Don Vodra, Barbara Roppolo, Harriet and Bill Harris, Sheri and Bob Best and Art and Gaye Birtcher, to name only a few.

For reservations and information, call (714) 557-4538. Tickets are priced at $125 per reservation.