For Omega House

Better than Animal House: Young professionals show plenty of skin in hot togaparty

The notorious scene from Animal House may have inspired many frats to throw similar costumed symposia, in the ancient sense of the word. But that roll-out-of-bed-wearing-the-bed look just wouldn't do for the citizens carousing Greco Roman-style at Bering Omega Community Services' young professionals board Toga Party Saturday night at Craft Salon.

Rather, these 130 Caesars and Aphrodites wrapped their physique with more than a tunic and adorned themselves with gold armbands, cuffs, gladiator skirts, laurel wreaths, hats and Roman sandals — though without covering too much. After all, what's a toga social without showing some skin?

Chairs Nick Espinosa, Liz Gorman, Paul Pettie and Jerry Guerrero stripped down to the bare necessities to collect donations of unused sheets for Omega House.

Efforts not to stare at Jeremy Fain's silver sequined cloak, matching high heels and medusa wig were futile. As the femme fatale he was worthy of the top prize for best costume, for which he took home a basket of many bottles of serious booze. Not far behind were Rebecca Bertrand in a Texas-themed toga and Kevin Messenger in iron man duds.

Chairs Nick Espinosa, Liz Gorman, Paul Pettie and Jerry Guerrero stripped down to the bare necessities to collect donations of unused sheets for Omega House, the organization's hospice serving those with late stage HIV/AIDS.

Bacchus would have been proud.

Adding to the chatty bacchanal were club and Top 40 tunes by DJ Soultower606, sliders grilled onsite by The Counter and a wealth of liquids by Saint Arnold Brewing Company, Dripping Springs Texas Vodka and Barefoot Wine.

Coming, seeing and conquering in full regalia were Mark Donaldson, Matthew Barré, Lauren Levicki, Kari Govin, Tim Sullivan, Aimee Mudd, Mandie Sanchez, Sal Migliara, Sara Brown, Stephen Jones, Maneesh Singal, Jeremy LeBlanc, Brad Deaton, Carlos Meltzer, Sean Williams, Steven Carlton, Matt Neufeld, Kod Odimgbe, Katherine Ross, Cara Crafton, Owen McCormack, Susan Oehl and Jeff Gremillion.

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Vegas Vibes

A winning night at the JCC scholarship ball hits jackpot for Houston kids

Photo by Mark Katz Photography

Rikki Veksler, Arin Freedman, Dena Magelssen, Rozanna Chrapot, and Lisa Robbins.

The Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center rolled the dice and came up seven at its 36th Annual Children’s Scholarship Ball and the Westin Galleria Houston. With Lizzy Kamkahgi at the helm as ball chair, alongside auction co-chairs Arin and Henry Freedman and program chair Jodi Rubenstein, the evening shattered expectations while supporting the Irvin Kaplan Children’s Scholarship Fund.

The night honored Joe Kaplan, son of the fund’s founder Irvin Kaplan, and Murray Kalmin for their enduring commitment to Houston’s children and families. The fund’s mission? Providing access to early childhood education and camp programs for families who might otherwise be left on the sidelines.

Beneficiaries include the Bertha Alyce Early Childhood Academy, Ellen Boniuk Early Childhood School, Sherry Merfish Infant Care Program, Karol Musher STARS Early Childhood Intervention Program, and J Camps.

More than 550 guests stepped into the scene, greeted by a lounge singer crooning in the background, an Elvis impersonator working the room, and a magician adding a little sleight-of-hand intrigue to the cocktail hour. Showgirls shimmered through the crowd as attendees browsed over 200 auction items.

The formal program opened with a heart-tugging video featuring the J’s preschoolers alongside CEO Larry Skolnick. One of the evening’s most memorable moments came courtesy of teenager Ella Bibi, whose rendition of “You Have Yourself” brought the room to a hush.

The ball drew more than 550 attendees and raised more than $1 million.

Photo by Mark Katz Photography

Rikki Veksler, Arin Freedman, Dena Magelssen, Rozanna Chrapot, and Lisa Robbins.

fundraisers jewish community center jcc