During the 30th Anniversary National Tribute Event, we celebrated the partnerships that made possible all the Museum has accomplished, across the nation and around the globe. We also looked forward to the urgent need to accelerate these successful efforts beyond the Museum's walls, as antisemitism is on the rise and conspiracy theories and misuse of the Holocaust are taking hold. Watch the event below and learn more about the Museum’s new Beyond Our Walls Fund.
Featured Guests
Featured Speakers
- Ken Burns
Our keynote speaker is America’s most distinguished documentarian, Ken Burns, whose recent film The U.S. and the Holocaust was inspired by the Museum’s exhibition Americans and the Holocaust. Burns has been making documentary films for over 40 years. Since the Academy Award-nominated Brooklyn Bridge in 1981, he has gone on to direct and produce some of the most acclaimed historical documentaries ever made, including The Civil War, Baseball, Jazz, The War, The National Parks: America’s Best Idea, Prohibition, The Roosevelts: An Intimate History, The Vietnam War, and Country Music.
Future film projects include The American Buffalo, Leonardo da Vinci, The American Revolution, Emancipation to Exodus, and LBJ & the Great Society, among others. Burns’s films have been honored with dozens of major awards, including sixteen Emmy Awards, two Grammy Awards and two Oscar nominations. In September of 2008, at the News & Documentary Emmy Awards, Burns was honored by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences with a Lifetime Achievement Award. In November of 2022, he was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame.
- Charles Ramsey
Charles Ramsey, a Chicago native, retired in January 2016 as police commissioner of the Philadelphia Police Department, a position he held for eight years. Prior to his service in Philadelphia, Ramsey was chief of the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, DC. In 1999, he worked with the Museum to create a leadership development program for law enforcement officers that has since trained more than 158,000 officers nationwide. Presented in partnership with the Anti-Defamation League, the program examines the role that law enforcement played in the Holocaust and challenges officers today to reflect upon their professional and personal responsibilities in safeguarding democracy. Ramsey is a consultant with the Wilmington, Delaware, and the Cleveland, Ohio, police departments.
- Montana Tucker
Montana Tucker is an American pop star, singer, songwriter, actress, dancer, and influencer with more than 13 million followers on her social media platforms. Born in 1993 in Boca Raton, Florida, Tucker began her career at the age of eight, appearing in national commercials (Ovaltine, Skechers, BMW, Wendy’s), television shows, and music videos. At the age of 13, she was a backup dancer for Ashanti and Ashley Simpson. At 14, she performed at the 2007 Super Bowl pregame show, and at 18, she was featured with Chris Brown on MTV's “My Super 18.” She has been the opening act for many top artists including Ciara, Pitbull, Flo Rida, and Lil Wayne. Her songs were also featured in the films Step Up 2 the Streets and Bring It On 5. Tucker's maternal grandparents were Holocaust survivors. She recently visited the sites of several Nazi concentration camps with her mother. To see short clips of her experience, please visit How To: Never Forget—a Holocaust remembrance film by Montana Tucker.
- Irene Weiss
Irene (Fogel) Weiss was born in November 1930 in Bótrágy, Czechoslovakia (now Ukraine). Bótrágy came under Axis rule in 1939. Jews were barred from attending school, their businesses were confiscated, and thousands of Jewish men had to join Hungarian forced labor brigades. In April 1944, Hungarian authorities moved Bótrágy’s Jewish residents into the Munkács ghetto and shaved the heads of all girls under the age of 16. Mrs. Weiss’s mother gave her a scarf to wear, which probably saved her life after they were deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau because it made her look older.
Mrs. Weiss's mother, three younger siblings, and older brother were killed upon arrival. Mrs. Weiss and one sister were selected for forced labor. In January 1945, they were marched to Ravensbrück and then transported to the Neustadt-Glewe subcamp. One day during roll call, the SS separated Mrs. Weiss’s sister from the group, deeming her too weak to work. Mrs. Weiss joined her sister. They waited for a transport truck to Ravensbrück, where there were gas chambers, but the transport never arrived. Soviet troops soon liberated the camp. The sisters immigrated to New York in 1947. Mrs. Weiss became a teacher and now volunteers at the Museum.
- James Brewster
James Brewster is one of more than 420 Museum Teacher Fellows, representing 49 states, the District of Columbia, and 11 countries, trained since the program began in 1996. He is a social studies teacher at the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders in Austin, Texas.
Event Leadership
Chairs
- Karen and Bruce Levenson
Karen and Bruce Levenson are motivated in their support of the Museum through a commitment to education and inspired by Karen’s mother, Irene Boyarsky, a Holocaust survivor.
Since the early 1980s, Karen and Bruce have funded numerous education initiatives targeting underserved youth, including the Bringing the Lessons Home program at the Museum.
The couple also conceived and funded the Do Good Institute at the University of Maryland. The Institute educates and empowers the next generation of nonprofit leaders and seeks to ensure that every student graduates from the University of Maryland informed and motivated to give back. More than 3,000 students at the university are currently enrolled in courses offered by the Do Good Institute. Karen has served as a trustee for the University of Maryland College Park Foundation for the past 11 years. In addition, she served on the board of the Jewish Youth Philanthropy Institute (JYPI) and facilitated groups of 10–12th graders in a JYPI program. She was a partner in the Jewish Venture Philanthropy Group and served on the board of the United Jewish Endowment Fund. She has worked with groups of children from the SEED School of Washington, D.C. and coached students from Herbert Hoover Middle School for their Odyssey of the Mind and Destination Imagination teams. Karen is a past president of her Hadassah chapter. Together with Bruce, she has co-sponsored a local "I Have A Dream" class of 60 students at Johnson Middle School in Anacostia. Karen was an elementary school teacher and received a bachelor of education degree in elementary and special education from the University of Maryland and a masters degree in special education from the George Washington University. A journalist, entrepreneur, and successful builder of several businesses, Bruce is co-founder of United Communications Group (UCG), a company that provided information, analysis, data, and solutions to customers in energy, government contracting, healthcare, banking, technology, telecom, and defense industries worldwide. Prior to starting UCG, Bruce was a journalist at the Washington Star newspaper and president of Observer Publishing, a business information company. He was also an owner of the Atlanta Hawks and Atlanta Thrashers and served on the boards of governors of the NBA and NHL. Bruce is currently the founder and chairman of the board of Revolution Cooking and a director of TechTarget, a former UCG company that is publicly-traded. He also serves on the executive committee and regional board of the Anti-Defamation League and chairs ADL’s annual Concert Against Hate at the Kennedy Center. Bruce has a BA from Washington University in St. Louis and a law degree from the Washington College of Law.
- Carolyn and Bill Wolfe
Carolyn was the vice president of Help at Home, LLC a home health care services company that provides personalized home aids for geriatric care, post-hospital surgical and medical care, companion care, and Alzheimer’s and dementia care in the Washington, DC area. Earlier in her career, Carolyn worked in the defense contracting field, focusing on naval nuclear submarine and Air Force intelligence program support. Carolyn is a trustee of the Washington Institute of Near East Policy and has served on the boards of the Edlavitch DC Jewish Community Center and MorseLife, a premier provider of senior care in Florida. She has been involved in organizing numerous charitable events, including the Anti-Defamation League’s Concert Against Hate at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Carolyn received her bachelor’s degree from Simmons College.
Bill is the co-founder and current chairman of First Washington Realty, Inc, a privately held real estate investment firm that specializes in the ownership of neighborhood and community shopping centers throughout the country. He served as CEO of the company for 36 years. Prior to entering the real estate business, Bill served in the executive office of the President of the United States. Bill founded and currently serves on the board of Lupus Therapeutics, a drug discovery accelerator and a leader in lupus clinical trials. He also serves on the board of the Lupus Research Alliance, the largest private funder of lupus research in the world. He is also on the board of Headstrong Project, a nationwide organization that provides mental health treatment to military members, veterans, and their families across the country. Bill is a trustee of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, and he has served on the boards of the University of Maryland’s School of Public Policy and the Johns Hopkins University Business School. In the early 1970s, Bill co-founded The Key Program, Inc, a New England-based youth services agency that continues to provide residential and non-residential programming for at-risk youth and their families. He served as Key’s chairman for 25 years. William J. Wolfe Scholarships have been awarded to over 600 students to attend more than 40 colleges and universities. Bill received his bachelor’s degree from Clark University and his master’s degree from Harvard University. Carolyn and Bill have established at the University of California San Diego the Wolfe Rheumatology Fund to provide clinical care for lupus patients, the Wolfe Family Endowed Chair in Microbiome Research, and the Wolfe Family Endowed Chair in Life Sciences Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
Hosts
Anne and Jeffrey Abend Jessica Abrahams and Christopher Fleming Michael Abramowitz and Susan Baer Miriam and Sandy Ain Lee and Marlene Alexander Marianna and Brian Ashin Jamie and Joseph Baldinger Florence and Richard Bank Grace Bender Rachelle Bernstecker Adam Bernstein Josh Bernstein Kim and Bruce Bernstein Wilma and Stuart Bernstein Joan Bialek and Louis Levitt, MD Ann Krieger Birns and Mark T. Birns, MD Bryan and Jackie Blanken Lynn and Wolf Blitzer Sharon and Steven Blumenfeld Susan Brett and Robert Shesser Dr. Philip and Faith Bobrow Debby and Gary Bortnick Robin and Bruce Bortnick, MD Andrea Boyarsky-Maisel and Harvey Maisel Nancy and Lanny Breuer Alex Brill and Johanna Arenaza Roma S. Brodecki and Rocky Kistner Shelley and Joseph Brodecki Kenneth Brooks and Anita Wolke Alan and Nancy Bubes Sophie and Bradley Buslik Phyllis and David Coburn Marcella and Neil Cohen Rose and Bob Cohen Robyn and Bill Collins Joanne and Frank Crantz Yvonne Schlafstein Distenfeld and Jeffrey Distenfeld Ellen and Ned Dorman Nancy and Marc Duber Ron and Rona Eisenberg Amb. (Ret.) Stuart E. Eizenstat Julie and Rick Elion Nancy and Jay Epstien Marilyn Falik Ginny Kogan Feldman Marcy and Peter Franz Raffi Freedman-Gurspan Sarah and Adam Friedman Debbie and Peter Friedmann John and Leslie Friedson Sheila and Dave Fuente Gail and Maurice Gaspar Susie and Michael Gelman Joy and Marc Gerber Cathy and Michael Gildenhorn Laura and Jonathan Ginns Nancy and Dalbert Ginsberg Andrew and Helene Glick Lewis and Lori Gold Julianna Goldman and Michael Gottlieb Seth Goldman and Julie Farkas Lisie and Michael Gottdenker Melissa and Benjamin Gottesman Jill and Robert Granader Debbie and Jerry Greenspan Rev. Michele V. Hagans Phyllis and Richard Heideman Shelley and Allan Holt Leslie and Marty Janis Rosalyn Levy Jonas Julie and Daniel Kahn Drew and Lindsay Karr Eric Kassoff and Kerry Iris Leana and Marc Katz Wendy and Burton Katzen Marky and Martin “Bo” Kirsch Kate Linde Kogan and Eli Kogan Dr. Arlene and Harvey Kohn Pam Kurland and David Marchick Leslie and Bruce Lane Sidney Lawrence and Louise Lawrence-Israëls Vladimir and Jolie Lechtman Karen and Bruce Levenson Michael and Samantha Levenson Robin and Brian Levenson Scott and Tamara Levenson Amy and Jay Leveton Frederic Levy and Caroline Burwell Linda and Bruce Levy Estie and Edward Lipsit Brian and Judy Liss Robin and Jeremy London Jodi and Rodd Macklin Elizabeth Margosches and Don Melman Jennifer Loew Mendelson and Dan Mendelson Aaron David and Lindsay Miller David and Denise Mills Linda and Sid Moskowitz Alfred Münzer and Joel Wind Stephanie Nashman and Adam Chmara Michal and Michael Niakani Melanie Nussdorf Bashi and Roger Packer Joy and Ronald Paul Jeffrey Peck and Lisa Vigdor-Peck Estee and Elliott Portnoy Bonnie and Rafi Prober Andrew and Gail Quartner Jennifer and Michael Reichbach Barbara and Bert Rein Lisa Reiner Bella Rosenberg Robert and Wendy Rosenblatt Jean and Bill Rosenbluth Joan and Barry Rosenthal Cinthia and Horacio Rozanski Melinda and Howard Rubin Alisa and Aaron Rulnick Deborah and Michael Salzberg Evelyn Sandground and Bill Perkins Diane and Michael Sapir Devin and Sarah Schain Jason and Jennifer Schwartz Alexis Shklar Mickie Simon and Brian Schwalb Arlene and Barry Slevin Sharon and David Slotkin George Solomon Jan Solomon and Ken Simonson Dale and Alan Sorcher Monica and Richard Sussman Sanford and Karen Teplitzky Ariana and Joseph Tipograph Susie and Bruce Turnbull Bruce and Sandy Wall Dale and Peter Wang Lori and Martin Weinstein Janyse and Bernie Weisz Fry and Lea Wernick Jeffrey and Jill Wiener Melanie and Bradley Wine Carol and Michael Winer Carolyn and Bill Wolfe Linda and Bob Youngentob Lauri and Jeff Zell Nancy and Harold Zirkin
Event Sponsors
Our next 30 years must be devoted to protecting the truth of the Holocaust and advancing its relevance to new generations in the United States and worldwide. That is now the critical mission for the Builders of the Beyond Our Walls Fund. This special fund will be used to leverage the Museum's vast collection and resources to significantly expand a range of far-reaching educational opportunities for our diverse public audiences nationwide, including students, teachers, professors, and law enforcement professionals, among many others.
Beyond Our Walls The Builders
($1,000,000 or more)
Anonymous Gary & Pennie, Ronald & Anne, and Jeffrey Abramson The Bank of America Charitable Foundation Barry and Heidi Aronoff Bender Foundation, Inc. Jill and Jay Bernstein Melinda Bieber and Norman Pozez Neil & Marcy Cohen | Diane & Howard Zack | Mark & Theresa Cohen Crown Family Ginny and Irwin Edlavitch The Feil Family Idit and Moti Ferder Susie and Michael Gelman The Goldsmith Family Foundation Martin and Ahuva Gross The Hillside Foundation—Allan and Shelley Holt The Kay Family Foundation, Inc. Jacob and Charlotte Lehrman Foundation Karen and Bruce Levenson Susan and Bart Lewis The Libitzky Family Foundation Lainie and Kenny Lipschutz Amy and Alan Meltzer Jennifer Loew Mendelson and Daniel N. Mendelson Linda, Sidney, Rachel, and Ari Moskowitz The Nussdorf Family Foundation Jane and Daniel Och Edwin and Penelope Peskowitz Jaime and Andrew Schwartzberg Herbert Simon Family Foundation The David Tepper Charitable Foundation Laurie M. Tisch The Unger Family Carolyn and Bill Wolfe Zell Family Foundation
Museum Corporate Partners
Thank You to Our National and Regional Partners and Donors
Builders of the Beyond Our Walls Fund Corporate Partners Founders Society Legacy of Light Founders Society National Patrons United States Holocaust Memorial Council Washington Next Generation Board
Mid-Atlantic Regional Office
The Mid-Atlantic regional office serves Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. Find out more about past programs and how to contact us.