—Event Raises More Than $1 Million; Liam Neeson, Julianna Margulies, Rachie Shnay Among Speakers; American–Israeli Grammy Award-winning violinist, producer, and humanitarian Miri Ben-Ari Performs—
You can view photos from the event here.
New York, NY – The Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust honored the legacy of the Jews saved by Oskar Schindler in conjunction with the 30th anniversary of the release of the film Schindler’s List at the annual Generation to Generation celebration on Tuesday, December 5, 2023. The event, emceed by Julianna Margulies and featuring a special appearance by Liam Neeson and performance by Miri Ben-Ari, raised more than $1 million.
For decades, the annual L’dor V’dor, or Generation to Generation, dinner has brought together friends, family, and generations of survivors to help support the Museum’s timely mission to serve as a beacon for education about antisemitism and bigotry through lessons of the Holocaust.
More than 400 people attended the sold-out event at the Battery Park City-based Museum. Among the attendees were: Paul Rudd; Chelsea Handler; Bruce Ratner and Linda Johnson, Robert and Susan Morgenthau, Larry & Klara Silverstein, Alexandra Shiva, David Kohan, Nancy Spielberg, Marty & Michelle Cohen, former New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer, and New York City Councilmember Christopher Marte.
Throughout the night, attendees were treated to a performance by Grammy-winning violinist, producer, keynote speaker, “Goodwill Ambassador of Music” to the United Nations and entrepreneur Miri Ben-Ari, and heard from Museum President and CEO Jack Kliger, Museum Board Chair Bruce Ratner, and jewelry founder (and third generation Holocaust survivor) Rachie Shnay.
“In a growing climate of antisemitism and bigotry, education is our first line of defense,” Jack Kliger said. “In the face of new and continuing threats we cannot sit back. We must all take an active part in the story. So, I ask all of you how, in your everyday life, can you show resilience in the face of hate? How can you take part in the responsibility to document the reality of what we are experiencing? How will you pass it on for future generations to keep learning?”
The event welcomed 30 or more descendants of Schindler survivors and their relatives, including Schindler survivor Saul Dreier, who performed the Hamotzi. Through the generous support of individual donors and the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, the Museum hosted two tables for descendants, in addition to the descendants who are planning on supporting the event through ticket or table purchases.
International award-winning Actor Liam Neeson accepted the award on behalf of the production of Schindler’s List, andgave a moving speech that included his own personal story with an Auschwitz survivor while filming Schindler’s List.
Emmy, Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild award winner Julianna Margulies emceed the event, noting the Museum’s responsibility since its founding more than a quarter of a century ago to educate diverse visitors about Jewish life before, during, and after the Holocaust.
“As New Yorkers, we are so proud to live in, and raise children in, a city that views this responsibility with the greatest importance. It is our collective obligation to bear witness to history…and to make sure that lies cannot overcome the truth,” said Julianna Margulies, who serves on the Museum’s Board of Trustees. “So, to us, the work the Museum does – protecting the historical record and deepening the public’s understanding of our common humanity – is an essential civic responsibility. And this work comes at a time when standing up against the forces of hate and fear and division is once again an urgent responsibility for us all.”
As she delivered impassioned remarks about her family’s history, Rachie Shnay delivered inspiring words, saying, “My message for you today is to stop just being Jewish, stop just being a Zionist, and stop just being indifferent to the sacrifices that your parents and grandparents made for you to be here. Bring meaning and purpose to your life, to your birthright. Speak up, be proud of who you are, what you represent, LOVE being Jewish. If there is anything we learned over the past two months, it is that unity makes us stronger, resilience is part of our essence.”
Serving as Event Co-Chairs are Elyse & Howard Butnick, Rella Levenstein Feldman & Curtiss Pulitzer, Evelyn & Harry Goldfeier, Patti Askwith Kenner, Rita Lerner & Cliff Salm, Ann Oster, Elisa Pantirer Pines & Alan Pines, Marilyn Rosen, and Deborah & Wayne Zuckerman.