The World Alliance for Israel PAC (WAIPAC) held its 2009 Awards and Installation Dinner at The Luxe Hotel Sunset Boulevard on March 30. WAIPAC is a bipartisan, single-issue political action committee dedicated to supporting pro-Israel elected officials in Congress.
Its big night was heavy on substance, with a hot-topic panel on the relationship between the African American community and the pro-Israel community. Actor-comedian Orlando Jones served as moderator, and panel participants included Washington, D.C.. Councilman-at-large Michael A. Brown, state Rep. Isadore Hall (D-Compton) and Ohio state Rep. Josh Mandel (R-Columbus).
Featured special guests included California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner, Israeli Consul General Yaacov Dayan, Fifth District City Councilman Jack Weiss and L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
The group also celebrated the installation of its new officers and directors for 2009-2011, including Nickie Shapira, president; Adele Reznikoff, executive vice president ; Jill Cutler and Laine Mervis, vice presidents-membership; Marilyn Ziering, vice president-major gifts; and Rosalie Zalis, community outreach chair.
