Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston Displays a Colorful Tapestry of Diversity

Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston held its seventh annual Tapestry Gala on May 21st at the Hilton Americas Houston and raised $950,000. The event celebrated Houston’s great diversity in cultures, ethnicities and faith traditions with guests of different religions, many wearing traditional ethnic clothing. The evening raised funds for the organization’s many services with Shell Oil Company and Motiva Enterprises LLC leading the way as Presenting Sponsor.

Consul General of India Parvathaneni Harish, Srimathi Nandita, Sushma Mahajan and Devinder Mahajan

The Tapestry Gala was chaired by Paula Sutton and Bill Gross, Karen and Jay Harberg and Leena and Ash Shah with honorary chairs Anne and John Mendelsohn, M.D.. The evening honored Dr. Sushma and Devinder Mahajan with the Tapestry Award, which recognizes community leaders who have shown remarkable dignity through tangible work for the betterment of Houston and the world.

The evening also celebrated Elliot Gershenson, Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston’s, President and CEO with a touching retirement tribute given by Bill King and Frazier Wilson, Vice President of Shell Oil Company Foundation.

Mistress of Ceremonies Meena Datt welcomed more than 750 friends of Interfaith Ministries including, Lily and Charles Foster, Philamena Baird, Neda Ladjevardian, Harry and Marian Tindall, Diana Untermeyer, Regina Rogers, Ambassador Arthur Schechter, Fred and Kay Zeidman, Counsulate General of India Parvathaneni Harish, Reverend Bill Lawson, and Marie Bosarge.

Guests entered the ballroom adorned with lavender hydrangeas and peach roses generously donated by Kroger and arranged with crystal and candle centerpieces by Darryl and Company. The evening consisted of a fabulous four course dinner of traditional Indian fare and beautiful program celebrating diversity with a number of performances including violinist Achron Gabriel Maffuz-Anker, vocal pieces by Kenneth Gayle Productions, as well as Bollywood dancing by Infused Performing Arts and DAV Montessori School.

The event benefited Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston, a non-profit organization that brings people of diverse faith traditions together for dialogue, collaboration and service. The organization provides four main services to the Houston area: Meals on Wheels for Greater Houston, Refugee Services, Disaster Preparedness and Interfaith Dialogue.

Photo Credit: Alexander’s Fine Portrait Design