Joanna Pamatz, Jenna Evans, Kimberley Anne Roche, and Danielle Harrison
By Donald H. Harrison
POWAY, California – Once again it will be “blue and white day” this coming Friday at the Bellus Academy here. Students will dress in blue and white, contribute $2 a piece, and tell customers at the cosmetology school about the tragedy that struck Poway on April 27 when a gunman opened fire inside the Chabad of Poway, killing Lori Kaye, 60, and wounding three other persons, including Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein.
So far the students have collected $789.25 for distribution to the families of the victims, who also include Almog Peretz and his niece Noya Dahan, 8, who were both hit by shrapnel. The “blue and white” fundraising program was urged by student Jenna Evans, who lives in Poway, according to Danielle Harrison, another student.
“Jenna isn’t Jewish, but she lives in the community, and said the people of Poway should support one another,” Harrison recalled. “We were all very moved.”
Harrison, who is my grandniece, said that Evans received permission from the school’s administrators to hold “blue and white” days every Friday. She added that the first time the event was held, approximately 40 people wore blue and white, which are Israel’s national colors and were traditional colors at Jewish observances for many years prior to Israel’s formation.
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Donald H. Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted via donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com