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Celebrating 30 Years of the Shoah Foundation: A Night of Stars and Stories
A spectacular celebration in New York
Last week, Steven Spielberg’s Shoah Foundation celebrated its 30th anniversary with a dazzling gala in New York City. The event, held at the Ambassadors for Humanity Gala, brought together nearly 700 guests, including Hollywood icons like Meryl Streep, Whoopi Goldberg, Bruce Springsteen, Drew Barrymore, Itzhak Perlman, Debra Messing, Wendell Pierce, and the evening’s emcee, Alex Edelman.
A memorable evening of humor and reverence
Alex Edelman brought his signature humor to the evening, quipping about the exclusivity of the event. “If your rabbi isn’t in this room, they’re worthless,” he joked. Held just after Yom Kippur, Edelman light-heartedly referred to the gala as “the most expensive break fast in New York City,” reminding everyone of the significant observances leading up to the event.
Despite the humor, Edelman turned serious, emphasizing his personal connection to the Shoah Foundation’s mission. As a grandchild of Holocaust survivors, Edelman described the Foundation’s work as “profoundly important to me.”
A touching story of connection
In a moving moment, Edelman shared a heartfelt anecdote about meeting Spielberg’s mother, Leah Adler, during his teenage years. Working for the Dodgers in L.A., Edelman found solace at Adler’s kosher restaurant, The Milky Way. Adler, whom Edelman fondly referred to as “one of the only decent kosher restaurants in the world,” regularly offered him meals, showing kindness that left a lasting impression.
Edelman reminisced about the day Adler revealed her son’s accomplishments. Initially skeptical of her claim, Adler confirmed it in an unforgettable way by pulling out the Oscar from Schindler’s List, casually placing it on the bar. Such personal stories underscored the evening’s theme of legacy and memory.
Reflections on a profound legacy
The Shoah Foundation, established in the wake of Spielberg’s Oscar-winning film Schindler’s List, aims to collect, preserve, and share testimonies from Holocaust survivors and witnesses. Over the years, the Foundation has expanded its mission to document other genocides, including the Armenian genocide, and to address contemporary antisemitism.
Speakers throughout the evening highlighted the importance of empathy and memory in combating hate. Holocaust survivors and their descendants took the stage, urging attendees to “never forget” and to actively work against the resurgence of hate and bigotry.
A call for empathy and action
Spielberg himself echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the ongoing struggle to “fight for the very right to be Jewish.” He highlighted the importance of empathy as the antidote to hate, particularly in light of rising antisemitism and the political violence fueled by lies and conspiracy theories.
Spielberg’s remarks also touched on the current conflict in the Middle East, calling for compassion for all innocent victims. “All human life is precious,” he said, acknowledging the tragic loss of both Jewish and Palestinian lives.
Honoring a lifelong commitment
The evening also saw Spielberg presenting the Foundation’s first Leadership Award to longtime supporter Mickey Shapiro. The award, now named in Shapiro’s honor, recognizes his dedication to preserving Holocaust memory and combating antisemitism through research and education.
The importance of truth in a digital age
Meryl Streep opened the evening with a poignant observation about the threat of fake news and the challenges posed by advancements in AI and technology. She warned of a future where photographic evidence could be undetectably doctored, undermining our ability to distinguish fact from fiction. Streep stressed that eyewitness accounts and survivor testimonies are more crucial than ever to safeguard historical truth.
A legacy for future generations
The gala also marked the launch of the Shoah Foundation’s endowment campaign, aiming to secure $300 million to sustain and expand its research and educational programs. This includes protecting and making freely available the Foundation’s extensive digital archive and bolstering its presence in Washington, D.C.
Musical interludes and powerful performances
The evening was punctuated by moving performances. Itzhak Perlman played the haunting theme from Schindler’s List, and Bruce Springsteen surprised the audience with renditions of “The Ghost of Tom Joad” and “Dancing in the Dark.”
Looking forward
As the night drew to a close, the Ambassadors for Humanity Award was bestowed upon Holocaust survivors, honoring their resilience and contributions to preserving history. Survivor Irene Weiss accepted the award on behalf of over 50 survivors present, sharing her experiences from when she was just 13 years old.
USC President Carol Folt, Shoah Foundation Executive Director Robert Williams, and Board of Councilors Chair Joel Citron also delivered poignant remarks. The stories shared at the gala reinforced the sober reality of our collective past and the imperative to combat hate in its modern forms.
This anniversary gala was not just a celebration but a powerful reminder of the enduring importance of memory, empathy, and action in the face of ongoing prejudice.
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