Loraine (1921-2015), a social worker in Chicago, and Jack Stern (1918-1999), a dairy chemist working for Seagrams in New York, met in Chicago and came to San Diego during World War II where Jack was stationed in the Navy and Loraine worked for the Red Cross. In 1947 they were married at Congregation Beth Israel. After the war they started an unfinished furniture specialty store on El Cajon Boulevard. While raising a family, Loraine found time to be president of the San Diego Section of the National Council of Jewish Women and work at the East County JCC on 54th Street for 25 years. She created and managed The Source gift shop, conducted juried art shows, art lectures and trips, and auctions, and had a lecture series called Taboo Topics. A play she commissioned and produced through the JCC about the Kerner Report on civil rights was an important moment in civil rights history in San Diego. It earned her the Key to the City. In 2012 the JCC instituted an annual lecture named in her honor. Loraine often spelled her name with two "R"s.

Jack Stern was a long-time board member of Jewish Family Service, then president, in 1986 where he started the car donation program. The Jack Stern Volunteer Award is presented yearly by Jewish Family Service. Jack was also a very active volunteer with the JCC, both on its board and as president. He was instrumental in producing and performing in the JCC Theater Program.