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Testimony of the Human Spirit

HHREC Honors Westchester Business Leader, Features Pulitzer Prize-Winning Speaker at Annual Fall Benefit

November 2, 2022 by The Inside Press

HHREC Benefit Honoree Dennis Mehiel   Photos by Julie Rothschild

November 1st 2022– The Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center (HHREC) honored Westchester County Business Executive Dennis Mehiel at their annual Benefit at Westchester Country Club in Rye, New York on October 27th.  HHREC Board of Directors Chairperson President Michael Gyory introduced Mehiel, who spoke about the importance of standing up against antisemitism and expressed his gratitude for the work of HHREC in offering programs that teach the lessons learned from the Holocaust. Mr. Mehiel was the first person not of the Jewish faith elected to the Board of Governors of Yeshiva University’s Wurzweiler School of Social Work where he served from 1989 until 1996.

Bret Stephens, New York Times Columnist and Pulitzer Prize Winning Journalis, was the HHREC 2023 keynote speaker.

The program also featured a talk and Q&A with Pulitzer-Prize Winning Journalist, Author, and New York Times columnist Bret Stephens, who appeared as the event Keynote Speaker. Stephen’s talk centered on drawing parallels between 2022 and 1922 and the dangers of overlooking signs of hatred and discrimination, and the possibility that they could reoccur in the U.S. in the years ahead.

HHREC Executive Director Millie Jasper recognized Holocaust survivors who were in the audience and introduced a film about the HHREC Educator’s Study Tour of Germany and Poland. She also thanked the audience for their continued support for HHREC programs and announced a new endowment campaign.

“We are so grateful for the support from our growing community, especially those who came out to be with us for this year’s HHREC Benefit.” said Jasper. “ Our staff, board of directors, and education program partners are reenergized as we continue in our efforts to teach the lessons of the Holocaust, and the right of all people to be treated with dignity and respect.”

Additional Photos by Julie Rothschild

(L-R) Iris Weintraub Lachaud; Michael Gyory, chairperson, HHREC; and State Senator Shelley B. Mayer
Holocaust survivors Agnes Vertes and Nick Friedman
(L-R) Rena Hecht, New York State Assemblyman Chris Burdick, and Bob Piliero
David A. Alpert, Board Member, HHREC, with Honoree Dennis Mehiel
(L-R): Rachel Greenspan, Member, HHREC Board of Directors; Grace Bennett, HHREC Advisory Board; and Lisa Salko, HHREC Speakers Bureau

 

Annie Kleinhaus (Holocaust Survivor) and Millie Jasper, Executive Director, HHREC
Board of Directors, Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center
Steve Goldberg, Co-Director of Education, HHREC (second on left) with Karin Kast-Meinhrad (left) and to his right, Karen Kruis and Julia Collins 
(L-R): Brian Lombardo, Dr. Joyce Brown, former New York State Comptroller Carl McCall, who also addressed attendees of the HHREC benefit, and Kelly Mehiel
Michael Brown, Catherine Borgia, Chairperson, Westchester County Board of Legislators, and Pamela Stern
Andrew R. Benerofe, board member, HHREC, and Rabbi Daniel Gropper, Community Synagogue of Rye

About The Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center

The Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center is a not-for-profit organization based in White Plains New York that serves Westchester, Fairfield, and neighboring counties. Their Mission is to enhance the teaching and learning of the lessons of the Holocaust and the right of all people to be treated with dignity and respect. We encourage students to speak up and act against all forms of bigotry and prejudice. Their work with students and teachers helps schools fulfill the New York State mandate that the Holocaust and other human rights abuses be included in their curriculum. Since 1994, they have brought the lessons of the Holocaust, genocide, and human rights crimes to more than 1,500 teachers, and through them to thousands of middle and high school students. Through their volunteer Educators Program Committee, the Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center gives teachers the unique opportunity to develop programs for themselves and others. These programs not only enrich teachers’ knowledge about the Holocaust and related issues, but they also provide the lens through which to view all other human rights violations. For more information call 914.696.0738 email info@hhrecny.org 

Filed Under: Happenings Tagged With: Annual Fall Benefit, Antisemitism, Bret Stephens, Dennis Mehiel, Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center, Testimony of the Human Spirit, Upstander

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