April 30, 2025 – HRA 18
The Holocaust Remembrance Association (HRA18) hosted a landmark evening on April 23. The annual gala, “Upstanders Arise: Courage, Voices and the Stars,” brought together a distinguished audience of community leaders, educators, survivors and supporters for a night centered on remembrance, responsibility and action – within an atmosphere of community, elegance and meaning.
Held at the Omni Houston Hotel, the event reflected the growing momentum behind HRA18’s mission to confront antisemitism through education, healing and reconciliation. The program served as a celebration of progress, an opportunity to offer support for the organization’s initiatives and a clear call forward at a time when the need for Holocaust education and historical clarity has never been more urgent.
The program featured keynote speaker Tal Ramon, son of Israel’s first astronaut, who perished in the loss of the Shuttle Columbia. He delivered a deeply personal message connecting legacy, memory and responsibility across generations through music and words.
Tal Ramon was honored with the Guardian of Memory Award for his work preserving and advancing remembrance through storytelling and public engagement and the Ramon Foundation.
The award was presented by Dr. Dorit Donoviel, executive director of a NASA-funded institute based at Baylor College of Medicine that supports research to keep humans healthy as they explore deep space. She is also an associate professor at the Center for Space Medicine, where she lectures to medical and graduate students.
HRA18 also recognized two distinguished honorees whose lives reflect extraordinary leadership and moral clarity.
Susan Myers was honored with the Champion of Education Award for her decades of leadership in Holocaust education and her ongoing global work combating antisemitism. The award was presented by Dr. Cheryl Craig, an internationally renowned educator, author and professor whose work has shaped the field of teacher education and narrative inquiry. She is also a former recipient of the Holocaust Remembrance Association Education Award.
In partnership with Texas A&M University, Dr. Craig helped develop two courses connected to the Holocaust Garden of Hope, ensuring that this story continues to be taught and carried forward by future generations.
Dr. Dieter Heymann is the recipient of the Courage to Act Award. He is the son of Ericka Heymann, named Righteous Among the Nations by Yad Vashem, for her act of rescuing Jewish people in Amsterdam. Dr. Heymann is a scientist and educator whose life stands as a testament to resilience, conviction and the enduring responsibility to stand against injustice.
The award was presented by Dr. Moshe Vardi, a distinguished professor at Rice University and one of the world’s leading voices in computer science and ethics. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and a respected global leader who speaks to the responsibility that comes with knowledge and innovation. Dr. Vardi is a previous recipient of the Holocaust Remembrance Association’s Defender of Courage Award.
The evening began with joyous and stirring Klezmer music by the Houston Balalaika Society Orchestra.
The gala plays a critical role in advancing the organization’s mission. Proceeds from the event support the continued development of the Holocaust Garden of Hope, a permanent and replicable educational site in the Greater Houston region. At this time, it is available for audiences – educators and students – across the globe as a virtual interactive experience online.
Gala proceeds also contribute to the expansion of the Upstander Stone Project, which is actively engaging communities around the world in acts of remembrance for the 1.5 million children lost in the Holocaust.
“For many in the room, this was more than an event; it was a moment of deep reflection and community,” said Rozalie Jerome, founder of HRA18. “We are seeing a growing recognition that remembrance must lead to responsibility. The response we witnessed reflects a community ready to act.”
Mitch Jerome, co-founder of HRA18, offered a message of grit, determination and endurance of the necessity to continue working toward combating today’s rising antisemitism.
The gala took place during Holocaust and Genocide Awareness Month, following a weekend of global March of Remembrance processions and Yom HaShoah observances. Distinguished guests included Consul General of Israel to the Southwest Livia Link-Raviv and Consul Elad Shoshan; Consul General of Denmark Anna Holliday; and Lena Anhaeuser of the German Consulate.
HRA18’s work continues to expand through partnerships with institutions including the Texas Historical Commission, Texas A&M University (through the Collaborative for Innovation in Teacher Education program) and the Texas Holocaust, Genocide and Antisemitism Advisory Commission, positioning the organization to scale its educational initiatives and impact future generations at a national and global level.
The organization will soon complete the Holocaust Garden of Hope and launch expanded educational programming designed to equip students, docents and educators and communities with the knowledge and moral clarity needed to confront antisemitism and uphold human dignity.
For more information about the Upstanders Arise Gala, as well as annual events like the HRA18 Conference, Beauty for Ashes Luncheon, the March of Remembrance and core initiatives such as the Holocaust Garden of Hope and the Upstander Stone Project, go to HRA18.org and contact Rozalie Jerome at [email protected] or 832-287-5057.
Held at the Omni Houston Hotel, the event reflected the growing momentum behind HRA18’s mission to confront antisemitism through education, healing and reconciliation. The program served as a celebration of progress, an opportunity to offer support for the organization’s initiatives and a clear call forward at a time when the need for Holocaust education and historical clarity has never been more urgent.
The program featured keynote speaker Tal Ramon, son of Israel’s first astronaut, who perished in the loss of the Shuttle Columbia. He delivered a deeply personal message connecting legacy, memory and responsibility across generations through music and words.
Tal Ramon was honored with the Guardian of Memory Award for his work preserving and advancing remembrance through storytelling and public engagement and the Ramon Foundation.
The award was presented by Dr. Dorit Donoviel, executive director of a NASA-funded institute based at Baylor College of Medicine that supports research to keep humans healthy as they explore deep space. She is also an associate professor at the Center for Space Medicine, where she lectures to medical and graduate students.
HRA18 also recognized two distinguished honorees whose lives reflect extraordinary leadership and moral clarity.
Susan Myers was honored with the Champion of Education Award for her decades of leadership in Holocaust education and her ongoing global work combating antisemitism. The award was presented by Dr. Cheryl Craig, an internationally renowned educator, author and professor whose work has shaped the field of teacher education and narrative inquiry. She is also a former recipient of the Holocaust Remembrance Association Education Award.
In partnership with Texas A&M University, Dr. Craig helped develop two courses connected to the Holocaust Garden of Hope, ensuring that this story continues to be taught and carried forward by future generations.
Dr. Dieter Heymann is the recipient of the Courage to Act Award. He is the son of Ericka Heymann, named Righteous Among the Nations by Yad Vashem, for her act of rescuing Jewish people in Amsterdam. Dr. Heymann is a scientist and educator whose life stands as a testament to resilience, conviction and the enduring responsibility to stand against injustice.
The award was presented by Dr. Moshe Vardi, a distinguished professor at Rice University and one of the world’s leading voices in computer science and ethics. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and a respected global leader who speaks to the responsibility that comes with knowledge and innovation. Dr. Vardi is a previous recipient of the Holocaust Remembrance Association’s Defender of Courage Award.
The evening began with joyous and stirring Klezmer music by the Houston Balalaika Society Orchestra.
The gala plays a critical role in advancing the organization’s mission. Proceeds from the event support the continued development of the Holocaust Garden of Hope, a permanent and replicable educational site in the Greater Houston region. At this time, it is available for audiences – educators and students – across the globe as a virtual interactive experience online.
Gala proceeds also contribute to the expansion of the Upstander Stone Project, which is actively engaging communities around the world in acts of remembrance for the 1.5 million children lost in the Holocaust.
“For many in the room, this was more than an event; it was a moment of deep reflection and community,” said Rozalie Jerome, founder of HRA18. “We are seeing a growing recognition that remembrance must lead to responsibility. The response we witnessed reflects a community ready to act.”
Mitch Jerome, co-founder of HRA18, offered a message of grit, determination and endurance of the necessity to continue working toward combating today’s rising antisemitism.
The gala took place during Holocaust and Genocide Awareness Month, following a weekend of global March of Remembrance processions and Yom HaShoah observances. Distinguished guests included Consul General of Israel to the Southwest Livia Link-Raviv and Consul Elad Shoshan; Consul General of Denmark Anna Holliday; and Lena Anhaeuser of the German Consulate.
HRA18’s work continues to expand through partnerships with institutions including the Texas Historical Commission, Texas A&M University (through the Collaborative for Innovation in Teacher Education program) and the Texas Holocaust, Genocide and Antisemitism Advisory Commission, positioning the organization to scale its educational initiatives and impact future generations at a national and global level.
The organization will soon complete the Holocaust Garden of Hope and launch expanded educational programming designed to equip students, docents and educators and communities with the knowledge and moral clarity needed to confront antisemitism and uphold human dignity.
For more information about the Upstanders Arise Gala, as well as annual events like the HRA18 Conference, Beauty for Ashes Luncheon, the March of Remembrance and core initiatives such as the Holocaust Garden of Hope and the Upstander Stone Project, go to HRA18.org and contact Rozalie Jerome at [email protected] or 832-287-5057.