On May 31, 2023, a dedicated group of emerging philanthropists and leaders in the Chicago area gathered to support the Museum's mission of ensuring the truth and relevance of the Holocaust for new generations—far beyond our walls.
Guests heard from Holocaust survivor and Museum volunteer Susan Warsinger and CNN Senior Legal Analyst and grandchild of Holocaust survivors Elie Honig.
Featured Guests
Speakers
- Susan Warsinger
Holocaust Survivor and Museum Volunteer
Susan Hilsenrath Warsinger was born in Bad Kreuznach, a city in western Germany. After Kristallnacht, when neighbors smashed the windows and furnishings of the Hilsenrath home, Susan and her brother were smuggled to a children’s home in Paris. They fled to the Vichy-controlled unoccupied zone of France and then immigrated to the United States, where the family reunited and settled in Washington, DC. Susan worked as a teacher for 27 years and is a volunteer at the Museum.
- Elie Honig
CNN Senior Legal Analyst Grandchild of Holocaust Survivors Emmy Award-Nominated Producer, Documentary on the 60th Anniversary of Adolf Eichmann’s Trial
Elie Honig is a CNN senior legal analyst who previously worked for 14 years as a federal and state prosecutor. He provides on-air commentary and analysis for CNN on news relating to the US Department of Justice, major criminal trials, the Supreme Court, congressional and grand jury investigations, national security, policing, and other legal issues.
In 2022, Elie, who is the grandson of Holocaust survivors, was nominated for an Emmy Award for his CNN documentary about the war crimes trial of Adolf Eichmann, Sixty Years Ago, We Saw the Face of Evil. The piece featured interviews with the Israeli prosecutor and investigator from the Eichmann trial, both of whom were in their mid-90s. Elie also teaches at Rutgers University and works as special counsel to a New Jersey law firm, Lowenstein Sandler. He served as deputy director, and then director, of the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice from 2012 through 2018. He worked from 2004 to 2012 as an assistant United States attorney for the Southern District of New York, prosecuting and trying federal cases involving organized crime, human trafficking, public corruption, and violent crime. He successfully prosecuted over 100 members and associates of La Cosa Nostra, including bosses and other members of the Gambino and Genovese organized crime families. Elie graduated from Rutgers University in 1997 and Harvard Law School in 2000.
Moderator
- Edna Friedberg
Historian, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Dr. Edna Friedberg is a Museum historian and senior program curator, and the host of the popular Facebook Live series. She joined the staff of the Museum in 1999 and served as the historian for the multingual online Holocaust Encyclopedia and as director of its Wexner Learning Center. She also curated a special exhibition on the legacy of the Nuremberg trials and postwar justice. Dr. Friedberg regularly speaks to audiences across the country, and her essays connecting Holocaust history with social, cultural, and political issues today have appeared in publications including The Atlantic, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, and The Forward.
Event Leadership
Next Generation Board Chairs
Katie and J. R. Berger Johanna and Brian Gutman
30 Chairs for the 30th
In formation
Erin and Sam Ankin Hillary and Alex Behar Katie and J. R. Berger Alisa and Adam Bergstein Alison Schaffer Bloom and Brian Bloom Blake and Joey Breslow Allie and David Davidson Laura and Adam Docks Alex Entratter Dena and Zach Fox Danielle Rudas Goodman and Jordan Goodman Jordyn and Jordan Gross Carlee and Danny Gutman Johanna and Brian Gutman Mari and Michael Gutman Michelle and Corey Harris Faylyn and Danny Kaufman Sarah and Jason Kozin Greer and Brian Malkin Stacey and Brian Price Jennifer and Martin Rossen Dana and Craig Sanders Melissa Grund Sarnoff and David Sarnoff Heather and Ben Sher Rachel and Stephen Sotoloff Stefanie and Jordan Stein Staci and Ari Studnitzer Lauren and Aaron Tucker Franny and Michael Zucker
Event Sponsors
Next Generation "30 for 30" Campaign Join Next Generation leadership from across the country to celebrate the Museum’s 30th anniversary and support efforts to reach new audiences and communities by pledging $30,000 for the 30th anniversary.
"30 for 30" Pledges (as of May 19, 2023) Katie and J. R. Berger Denise and Scott Davis Chrysti, Myrna, Louie, and David Eigenberg Jordyn and Jordan Gross Carlee and Danny Gutman Johanna and Brian Gutman Hecktman Family Foundation Laura and Scott Kaufman Stacey and Brian Price Dana and Craig Sanders Melissa Grund Sarnoff and David Sarnoff Heather and Ben Sher Tucker Family Foundation Francesca and Michael Zucker and Family
Midwest Regional Office
The Midwest Regional Office serves Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New York (upstate), North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Find out more about past programs and how to contact us.
Thank You to Our National and Regional Partners and Donors
Risa K. Lambert was dedicated to the Museum from its inception and involved many of her friends in supporting this historic venture. As a fitting tribute, her family and friends generously named the annual Chicago luncheon, this year to be held virtually and include the whole midwest region, in her memory.