Los Gatos Jewish Community Center Honors Founding Donor Arnie Addison

The Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center, 14855 Oka Rd., is holding a tribute dinner to honor the memory of founding donor Arnie Addison at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9.

Addison, a longtime Los Gatos resident, died March 1, 2013 at the age of 83. He was a pioneer in the automotive industry and a local leader and philanthropist.

He enjoyed a storied career in the automobile industry in Chicago and California.

He founded Bay Cities Auto Auction, which grew into one of the nation’s largest auto auctions, and twice served as president of the National Auto Auction Association.

He was also recognized as a Bay Area authority on classic and antique cars and appeared on numerous radio talk shows.

Addison was instrumental in helping purchase the old nine-acre Berry School building site in the early 1980s that became the Jewish Community Center in Los Gatos.

Throughout his life, Addison generously contributed to causes he believed in.

Addison was a driving force in building Congregation Beth David in Saratoga as well as the Los Gatos JCC, contributing vision and financial resources for both, according to center officials.

Saturday's dinner will have a classic and antique car theme.

Tickets are $160 and can be purchased by clicking here. Donations in tribute to Addison can be made by contacting Diana Schnabel at the JCC, 408-357-7402, or diana@svjcc.org.

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