The Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center‘s (HHREC) 2011 Annual Benefit, Be the Difference, will take place at the Mamaroneck Beach and Yacht Club on Thursday, November 3, 2011. A cocktail reception, raffle and silent auction will begin at 6:00pm, followed by dinner and the program at 7:00pm. The raffle grand prize is a trip for two to Amsterdam that includes roundtrip airfare courtesy of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, a private tour of Anne Frank House and a two night stay donated by the Amsterdam Marriott.
HHREC’s mission is to teach the lessons of the Holocaust to safeguard human rights today. Its educational programs reach more than 12,000 middle school, high school and college students and teachers in Westchester, Putnam and Fairfield Counties yearly.
The benefit will honor “The Spirit of Humanity” award recipients, Richard and Lee Laster, of Chappaqua. Former chairman of HHREC Richard Laster will be recognized for his 14 years of service, during which the Center’s mission was broadened to include human rights education and new innovative educational programs. Lee Laster is an active board member.
The event also will honor the memory of the late Bernard J. Rosenshein (Z”L), of Mamaroneck. Mr. Rosenshein, a dedicated board member, will posthumously receive the “Courage to Care” award.
Additionally, the event will honor members of HHREC’s speakers’ bureau of Holocaust survivors, rescuers and liberators who share their wartime experiences with school and community audiences. Personal testimony by the Speakers Bureau members gives a face to the history of the Holocaust. Members of the speakers’ bureau include:
Judy Altmann
Moshe Avital, Ph.D.
Ruth Bachner
Melvin Federbush
Esther Geizhals
Bettina Graf
Sel Hubert
Betty Knoop
Clara Knopfler
Sylvie Lednicer
Ed Lessing
Lola Margulies, Ph.D.
Alan Moskin
Lillyan Rosenberg
Susan Rothschild
Gerry Ruckhaus
Jay Sommer
Bernard Storch
Dr. Tina Strobos
Stefan Weinberg
The evening features keynote speaker the Honorable Janet DiFiore, District Attorney of Westchester County. Ms. DiFiore will receive the “Be the Difference” award, in recognition of her important work in the field of human rights.
“It is important to give a voice to all of those who have suffered human rights violations,” said HHREC Executive Director Donna Cohen. “I have learned that history must be personalized, or it will simply sit on the shelf. Our annual benefit provides HHREC with the capability of reaching the community at no cost to teachers and students, or anyone who wishes to learn more about human rights.”
The evening features a Judith Ripka Jewelry Bar, with items available for purchase. All funds raised go to support HHREC’s educational programs and community outreach.
HHREC is located at 4 West Red Oak Lane, White Plains, NY 10604. For registration information, please visit www.hhrecny.org/benefit; contact HHREC at 914-696-0738, or via email info@hhrecny.org. For the latest news and updates, follow HHREC on Facebook at (www.facebook.com/HHREC).
About The Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center: The Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center (HHREC) is an interfaith, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization serving Westchester, Fairfield and Putnam Counties. HHREC encourages both learning and teaching about the Holocaust and its human rights lessons for today.
2011 benefit honorees, Richard and Lee Laster of Chappaqua, at the 2010 Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center’s Be the Difference benefit at Mamaroneck Beach & Yacht Club (photo courtesy of Susan Farley Photography)
