(HOUSTON, TX) – April 29, 2025 — On Tuesday evening, the Holocaust Remembrance Association (HRA18) hosted “Upstanders Arise: From Remembrance to Responsibility” at The George Theater in Houston. The sold-out event gathered more than 300 guests—including Holocaust survivors and descendants, elected officials, veterans, Jewish and Christian leaders, diplomats, business executives, and advocates—for an unforgettable evening of remembrance, courage, and action.
The evening, chaired by HRA18 board members Holly Ham and Basya Benshushan, opened with a warm welcome and a gourmet dinner catered by Jackson & Company, with kosher offerings provided by Laykie’s Gourmet. Guests were guided through the program by Master of Ceremonies Ben Proler, a U.S. Naval Reserve officer and civic leader.
In a poignant moment of reflection, a local IDF veteran and descendant of a Holocaust survivor lit a yahrzeit candle in honor of Yom HaZikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day for fallen soldiers and victims of terror. As of that night, 1,863 Israelis—including 848 IDF soldiers—had been killed since October 7, 2023.
The evening brought together a remarkable cross-section of leaders and communities committed to remembrance and reconciliation. In attendance were the Consul General of Japan in Houston, the Consul of Germany, and several repentant descendants of Nazi perpetrators—each representing a powerful commitment to healing, accountability, and truth. Jewish and Christian ministers from diverse denominations also joined the gathering, united in faith and resolve to confront antisemitism and foster a future rooted in justice, compassion, and mutual understanding.
Keynote speaker Brigitte Gabriel, bestselling author and national security advocate, delivered a stirring call to action against antisemitism, hate, and complacency. Drawing on her personal story and international advocacy, Gabriel reminded the audience: “Don’t just pray for America. Act for America—so that future generations will thrive.”
Three honorees were recognized for their extraordinary leadership and moral courage:
- Governor Greg Abbott received the Champion of Justice Award for his unwavering stand against antisemitism and his support of Texas’s Jewish communities.
- Caroline Glick, Senior Advisor to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was presented the Guardian of Memory Award for her global voice defending Holocaust truth and exposing antisemitism.
- Dr. Moshe Vardi, Rice University professor and thought leader, received the Courage to Act Award for boldly addressing antisemitism in academia.
HRA18 founders Rozalie and Mitch Jerome shared personal reflections on growing up in Jewish homes and the responsibility to carry history forward as memory and moral commitment.
In advance of the gala, a special video message from Pastor Jobst Bittner, founder and president of the March of Life Movement, was provided to HRA18, which encouraged supporters of the Holocaust Remembrance Association to stand boldly against antisemitism, support the Holocaust Garden of Remembrance, and continue advancing the Marches of Remembrance across Texas and beyond.
The evening also featured live and silent auctions led by auctioneer Johnny Bravo Holloway, with prizes ranging from international trips to original artwork by child Holocaust survivors Tamar Hirschl and Eva Deutsch Costabel. During the Paddles Up segment, two generous supporters offered matching gifts, inspiring an outpouring of support for HRA18’s mission.
Following the gala program, guests experienced a full-stage production of How to Die: The Life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer by the A.D. Players—a profound portrayal of faith, resistance, and the cost of moral courage. The play captured Bonhoeffer’s journey from quiet theologian to bold resistor of Nazism, reminding all in attendance that the call to be an Upstander is timeless.
“This meaningful evening could not have been more inspiring,” said HRA18 Founder and President Rozalie Jerome. “Together, we shine a light on truth, injustice, and remembrance. Each of us has the power to be an Upstander—to act, to remember, and to shape the future.”
HRA18 remains steadfast in its mission to end antisemitism through education, healing, and reconciliation. The organization continues to cultivate a growing movement of Upstanders committed to confronting hatred and building a more compassionate world. A book about the Holocaust Garden of Hope will be available soon.
Those who were unable to attend and would like to support our mission can make donations at hra18.org/donate.
For more information about the Upstanders Arise Gala, the Holocaust Remembrance Association, or projects like the March of Remembrance, and the March of Life, visit HRA18.org. To schedule interviews related to the Upstanders Arise gala, please contact Holly Ham at HollyH@hra18.org or (713) 249-7047. For interviews related to the Holocaust Remembrance Association, contact Rozalie Jerome at RozalieJ@hra18.org or (832) 287-5057.
About the Holocaust Remembrance Association
The Holocaust Remembrance Association (HRA18) is a Texas-based 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to sensitizing hearts to the issues of the Holocaust and modern antisemitism through education, healing, and reconciliation. Formed by Jewish descendants of Holocaust survivors and their Christian allies, HRA18 seeks to end antisemitism and hatred of the Jewish people by growing a community of Upstanders who drive real change toward a more just and compassionate world for current and future generations.
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