White Plains, NY – (November 10, 2011) – More than 230 guests from Westchester, New York City and Connecticut attended the Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center’s (HHREC) Annual Benefit, Be the Difference, at the Mamaroneck Beach and Yacht Club on November 3, 2011. Among the guests present were New York State Assemblywoman, Amy Paulin, New York State Assemblyman, George Latimer, New York City Public Advocate, Bill DiBlasio and Joshua Mandell, Mayor of Larchmont.
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 honored “The Spirit of Humanity” award recipients, Richard and Lee Laster, of Chappaqua. HHREC recognized former chairman Richard Laster 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.
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The event also honored the memory of the late Bernard J. Rosenshein (Z”L), of Mamaroneck. Mr. Rosenshein, a dedicated board member, posthumously received the “Courage to Care” award.
Additionally, the event honored individual 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:
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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 featured keynote speaker the Honorable Janet DiFiore, District Attorney of Westchester County. HHREC recognized Ms. DiFiore’s important work in the field of human rights with the “Be the Difference” award.
“It was a memorable evening,” said HHREC Executive Director, Donna Cohen. “It is essential to provide an opportunity for these extraordinary individuals, our Speakers Bureau, to share their experiences while offering a positive outlook on the future. It is through our generous supporters that we are able to continue to provide this educational service at no cost to teachers, students and community members.”
Guests enjoyed a cocktail reception, raffle and silent auction, followed by dinner and the program. Raffle items included a trip for two to Amsterdam with 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.
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HHREC is located at 4 West Red Oak Lane, Suite 330, White Plains, NY 10604. For more information, please visit www.hhrecny.org/; 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 and Human Rights Education Center: The Holocaust and 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. Its educational programs reach more than 12,000 middle school, high school and college students and encourages them to speak out against any bigotry and prejudice.
PRESS CONTACT: Kimberly Sawicki
Co-Communications, Inc.
914-666-0066
kim@cocommunications.com
