Elperin Elected to Unprecedented 4th Term as President

Sunday, February 27 marked the 48th Annual installation of the “1939" Club Board of Directors. The gala event was held at the Crystal Room in the Beverly Hills Hotel and was attended by well over 350 members and friends.

William Elperin was installed as Club President for an unprecedented fourth consecutive term. Other officers for the year 2000 include: Esther Brenner, first Vice President, Michael Bazyler, second Vice President, Susan Golant, Vice President, Sharona Justman, Vice President, Selene Bruk, Corresponding Secretary, Rosemary Elperin, Recording Secretary, Michael Zelon, Treasurer, and Ben Kamm, Financial Secretary.

The 1999 Board was discharged while the 2000 Board was installed. (See Photo Album))  Each member was thanked and given a beautifully etched silver Kiddush cup in honor of their service.

       Entertainment was provided by emcee, Hershey Felder, who played, among other selections, Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue,” and also accompanied his student, Tyla Wilson, in a moving endition of “Ofyn Pripichuk.” Reuben Berci and his orchestra entertained the guests with dance music. Dr. Doreen Seidler-Feller provided an inspirational message.

In his address to the Club, Mr. Elperin reviewed the events of the past year and spoke of the Club’s increasing involvement in Holocaust education and related issues. He outlined the year’s upcoming events, including the Salute to Israel, the Anniversary Dance, and the New Years Eve Gala. Members who passed away in 1999 were remembered and honored.

 Professor David Myers, Director of the Jewish Studies Program and History Professor at UCLA introduced the graduate students who received fellowships from The “1939” Club to further their Holocaust-related research.

President James Doti of Chapman University presented an award to William Elperin, President of The “1939” Club for the Club’s contributions to Holocaust Education.

The “1939” Club presented its inaugural Teacher of the Holocaust Award to Professor Marilyn Harran of Chapman University. One of her students spoke glowingly about her work.

Publisher Louis Weber was honored for the publication of The Holocaust Chronicle.

      Our guest speaker, Dr. Michael Berenbaum discussed how this has been the worst and best of times. He lamented the rise of Austrian neo-Nazi Hader and David Irving but also reported that he attended a meeting of European heads of state in Stockholm who pledged to open their Holocaust-era archives.