فارسیKatherine (Golbahar) Meraj
Katherine Meraj (Tehran, 1924 – Los Angeles, 2024) was a philanthropist and social activist.
She was deeply compassionate and dedicated to humanitarian causes. In addition to her social contributions, she was known in her personal life as a kind, responsible, and warm-hearted individual, excelling in her roles as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, and grandmother.
Katherine Meraj, the eldest child of the late Sara Kabed and Soleiman Golbahar, was born in 1921 (1300 in the Iranian calendar) in Tehran. She began her primary education at the Alliance School in Tehran and later earned her diploma from Nobavegan High School. Fate introduced her to André Meraj, who had recently returned to Tehran after sixteen years of studying and conducting business in France. This encounter led to their marriage in 1943 (1322 in the Iranian calendar), marking the beginning of a life filled with love and affection. Their marriage was blessed with five accomplished and educated children: three sons, Paul, Kamran, and David, and two daughters, Louise and Linda, along with several grandchildren.
Katherine’s four eldest children moved to the United States during their teenage years to pursue their education. Following the Islamic Revolution, in 1980, Katherine and her husband were compelled to leave their homeland and join their children, settling in the United States with their youngest daughter, Linda. The Meraj family initially spent their early years in Los Angeles before moving to Denver, Colorado, where they lived for eight years.
Katherine Meraj’s social activism dates back to the years before the Islamic Revolution. She worked closely with Parvin Motamed, the head of the Girls’ Department, in the Women’s Organization of Art Iran, where she also served as treasurer. After emigrating to the United States, she joined the Hadassah charity organisation[1] and later, with the collaboration of several distinguished women, co-founded the Haifa Group. Katherine actively served as both president and treasurer of this group for several years and maintained a long-standing association with the Haifa Group and Hadassah International.
Katherine Meraj also established another organisation within Hadassah called Healing Spirit, aimed at unmarried young professionals. Its members were primarily physicians and medical graduates. This group not only achieved significant success but also facilitated connections among its members, leading to marriages and the formation of new families. In addition to all her activities within Hadassah, Katherine made substantial contributions to the construction of the new Hadassah hospital[2] .
In Denver, Katherine Meraj continued her work with Hadassah by founding another organisation called Blue Sky. This initiative was aimed at young people, focusing not only on social activities but also on fostering connections and friendships among the youth. Beyond her efforts with Blue Sky, Katherine contributed to local community projects, including supporting the Hillel organisation and the university in Denver. She also played a leading role in projects such as establishing a synagogue and founding the Alliance Hebrew Language Educational Centre.
In California, the prominent display of Katherine and André Meraj’s name on the grand building of the Jewish Centre in Irvine stands as a testament to the noble character and generosity of this philanthropic woman. Katherine was also actively involved in the development of the synagogue grounds at the University of Irvine, as well as in supporting Sinai Temple and other synagogues in Los Angeles, always taking the lead in such efforts.
Katherine Meraj consistently prioritized the well-being and security of her fellow Jews in Israel and strongly supported cultural and social philanthropic programs. Among her notable initiatives was the invitation of senior executives from newly established companies in Israel to California, where they received training on marketing strategies for the U.S. market. To date, more than 200 individuals have benefited from these opportunities, with many expressing that learning effective marketing strategies has transformed their lives and helped them expand their enterprises.
During her numerous trips to Israel, Katherine Meraj developed a deep interest in various philanthropic activities in the Negev region[3] . One of her notable projects was the construction of the Ayalim Student Village. According to this program, students from Ben-Gurion University[4] and other nearby universities are required to volunteer at least ten hours a week to assist the local community. So far, these dedicated and energetic students have contributed 20,000 volunteer hours annually to support Israeli society and have helped establish eleven villages in the Negev and Galilee regions.
Katherine Meraj also established a clinic and emergency centre in the city of Dimona, an area where the nearest hospital is an hour away. Additionally, she founded seven clubs for pilots in the region, further contributing to the community’s well-being.
Her leadership in the Negev region has resulted in the creation of multi-million-dollar private and public projects with far-reaching impacts, earning her the title of a “hero” of the Negev. For years, Katherine has been a steadfast supporter of new immigrants, particularly Iranians. Iranian immigrants newly arriving in Israel have benefited from her assistance in preparing for life, integrating into society, and pursuing education, paving the way for a brighter and more productive future in their new home.
One of Katherine Meraj’s most important goals and life philosophies was helping people around the world. Her approach to life was shaped by principles of righteousness, honesty, joy, patience, composure, and relentless effort to achieve her goals. Her message to the world was one of friendship, love, and ultimately, lasting global peace.
Katherine Meraj was a visionary with broad and profound humanitarian ideals, which she shared with her family members. These shared values were exemplified through numerous projects designed to support the future of Israel and enhance and promote Judaism in America. These efforts were made tangible through the work of the Katherine and André Meraj Charitable Foundation. The progress and success of these projects have been further facilitated through the collaboration and shared vision of Katherine Meraj’s children. Her philanthropy and charitable contributions have not only improved the quality of life for many low-income families in the United States, providing them with a more comfortable existence, but have also profoundly impacted the lives of a segment of the population in Israel, enhancing their quality of life in meaningful ways.
In 2019, coinciding with International Women’s Day, the Iranian Jewish Women’s Organisation in Los Angeles honored one of the most outstanding women of their community, Katherine Meraj, in recognition of her exemplary humanitarian services.
Katherine Meraj’s meeting with prominent Iranian figures in Israel – Tel Aviv, 2010 CE.
From right to left: David Meraj – Katherine Meraj – Professor David Yerushalmi – Professor David Menashri – Moshe Katsav (President of Israel) – Unknown – Sir Lord David Alliance.
Katherine Meraj 1924 – 2024
[1] Hadassah, the benevolent Organization of Jewish Women in America, is a charitable organization founded in 1912 by Henrietta Szold in New York City. It is recognised as one of the most important Jewish women’s organizations in America. [2] Hadassah Medical Center: Hadassah, the Hebrew name of Queen Esther of Persia and wife of Xerxes I of the Achaemenid Empire, is one of the leading university hospitals in Israel. It was founded in 1934 by Henrietta Szold and a group of Jewish physicians in the city of Jerusalem. The Hadassah Medical Center is renowned for its humanitarian approach to treating patients without discrimination, whether Israeli or Palestinian. This commitment to equality and compassion led to its nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize. [3] The Negev Desert, or Negeb, is a vast desert region located in southern Israel, covering 55% of the country’s land area. Despite its expansive size, the region is sparsely populated, with a relatively small and scattered population living across its arid landscape. [4] Ben-Gurion University, a public university, is located in the city of Be’er Sheva, at the heart of the Negev Desert region in southern Israel.