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    Heartfelt Tribute

    Extraordinary violins and Ted Koppel enrich Holocaust Museum Houston's $1.2 million dinner

    Shelby Hodge
    Jun 10, 2016 | 1:30 pm

    Joining in the 20th anniversary celebration of Holocaust Museum Houston, the 1,100 guests attending the Lyndon Baines Johnson Moral Courage Award Dinner were treated to an evening of beautiful if poignant music, inspirational words, and a bit of unexpected humor.

    All of this on an evening that raised $1.2 million for the museum's programs.

    The gathering at the Hilton Americas-Houston began with a 25-minute concert in which eight violinists performed on violins that were played by Jewish musicians held in concentration camps during the Holocaust. The instruments came from the collection of Israeli craftsman Annon Weinstein, who located and restored 50 violins that had survived the era. Known as "Violins of Hope," the instruments were accompanied on this night by two cellos and a piano.

    Three standing ovations followed the remarkable presentation. Weinstein, who flew in from Israel for the concert, also received an outpouring of gratitude with his own standing ovation.

    The night's inspiration came from the heroic story of the honorees — brothers Tuvia, Asael, Aron and Zuz Bielski, whose resistance efforts during the Holocaust was the basis for the film "Defiance." The award was accepted by Asael's daughter, Assaela Bielski Weinstein.

    The surprise humor came from keynote speaker veteran news anchor Ted Koppel, the son of German Jews who escaped the Nazis by immigrating to England. After his talk on serious issues including cyber dangers and changing media, he broke into song, performing his own "Battle of the GOP," a sonnet about the 17 Republican presidential candidates.

    The successful evening was chaired by Kelli Cohen Fein and Martin Fein and Rosalyn and Barry Margolis. The program included remarks by museum boardchair Gail Klein and museum director Kelly Zuniga.

    Among guests were Joan and Stanford Alexander, Laurie and Dr. Milton Boniuk, David Bach and Pam Morris, Cathy and Giorgio Borlenghi, Tali and Eric Blumrosen, Stefi and Mickey Altman, Barry Mandell, Frann Lichtenstein and Jeff Hirschberg, Heidi and David Gerger, Terry and Martin Cominsky, Velva and Fred Levine, and Beth and Jeff Early.

    Barry Mandel, Gail Klein, Ugur Aytac.

    Holocaust Museum LBJ Dinner, 6/16 Barry Mandel, Gail Klein, Ugur Aytac
      
    photo by Priscilla Dickson
    Barry Mandel, Gail Klein, Ugur Aytac.
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    Horns Up High

    Burnt orange spirit lights up Houston at Texas Exes scholarship gala

    Joel Luks
    May 16, 2025 | 5:45 pm
    Texas Exes Scholarship Gala 2025
    Photo by Jacob Power
    Kisha and Jason Itkin, Sallie Alcorn, and Kurt and Tara Arnold.

    It was an elevated burnt orange night at River Oaks Country Club as more than 300 Longhorn faithful gathered for the Texas Exes Houston Chapter’s Longhorn Legacy Scholarship Gala on April 10. The evening’s honorees, Kisha Itkin, Jason Itkin, Tara Arnold, and Kurt Arnold, were celebrated for their generosity and spirited support of The University of Texas at Austin.

    Texas Exes Scholarship Gala 2025
      

    Photo by Jacob Power

    Kisha and Jason Itkin, Sallie Alcorn, and Kurt and Tara Arnold.

    Greeting guests at valet was none other than Bevo, the famed Longhorn steer and unofficial mascot. Inside, a sculpted ice bar featuring the honorees' names and the Longhorn logo in vibrant burnt orange wowed the crowd. Underwritten by Mike Lowenberg of Lowenberg Law Firm, the frosty centerpiece offered a fitting nod to the honorees’ indelible mark on UT’s legacy. Meanwhile, a UT Tower ice sculpture, framed by a festive balloon wall by Topped Off Co., provided yet another irresistible photo op.

    Leading the evening’s program was Cyndy Garza Roberts, who kicked off festivities with a stirring video. Athletics director Chris Del Conte praised Jason Itkin and Kurt Arnoldfor their invaluable ideas and steadfast support, reinforcing the honorees’ impact beyond just philanthropy. Texas Exes Houston Chapter president Kyle Griffin and event chair Tawnya Bell also shared personal stories, with Bell's emotional scholarship journey underscoring the night’s purpose.

    Personal testimonies from UT grads and scholarship recipients Janelle Chavez and Will Florer inspired more generosity, culminating in a $330,000 fundraising triumph. Houston City Council Member Sallie Alcorn capped off the tributes with a mayoral proclamation from Mayor John Whitmire, officially declaring April 10 as Kisha and Jason Itkin and Tara and Kurt Arnold Day in Houston.

    In true Longhorn tradition, the evening closed with all guests standing, horns up, singing "The Eyes of Texas, a fitting finale to a night brimming with spirit.

    Spotted were Chuck Harris, Brien Smith, Rick Harsch, June Deadrick, Brock Niezgoda and Meg Hayward, Jackie and Scott Freeman, Luisa and Dr. Lucky Chopra, Ginger Cearley, Erin and Nathan Phelps, Kristen Griffin, Adam Pulaski, Stephanie Wilcox, Catherine Campbell, Al Riddle, Lauren Riddle, Michele Leal and George Farah, Winell and Doug Herron, Kristen Cannon, Niki and James Lassiter, and Amy and Segev Zadok.

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