Six alumni were nominated for the first time for the "Irving Gelman Award." The award is for being a mensch in the truest of fashion. Each honoree was presented with a gold medal that held a picture of Papa's face and a beautiful handcrafted piece of artwork. Papa delivered a heartwarming speech where he said, "You won't remember them (referring to the honorees) for how much money they make, but you will remember them for what they did with their lives." 

One of the honorees, Sahar Elbaz, who joined the IDF as a combat soldier and received the Chief of Staff's Citation for his bravery in 2014, called Papa his hero. He walked up to Papa, gave him a hug and casually handed him a gold coin with Hebrew inscribed on it and said, "This coin is very rare, I carry it with me and I want you to have it. I think of you and your bravery often." Talk about nachas!
 
Not to mention the countless people who lined up by the dozens to have their photo taken with our Papa.  If I had a dime for every photo I took tonight, I would be the next anonymous donor! The constant service and pillow fluffing was just the icing on the cake. 
 
I could not have picked out better grandparents. And I could not ask for better role models. I know we all share the same sentiments. Tonight was special and I could not wait to share it with all of you.  We are so lucky and it's nice knowing that the entire Jewish community of Orange County feels the same way we do.