High Honors

Holocaust Museum Houston honors Chinese and Japanese diplomats at $1.3 million dinner

High Honors

Holocaust Museum Houston honors Chinese and Japanese diplomats at $1.3 million dinner

Dinner chairs Jack and Nancy Dinerstein, left, and co-chairs Tracy and Brian Kapiloff.Photos by Priscilla Dickson and Jacob Power
Chinese Consul General Li Qiangmin, left, and Manli Ho.Photos by Priscilla Dickson and Jacob Power
Museum executive director Kelly J. Zuniga, left, and dinner co-chair Nancy Li.Photos by Priscilla Dickson and Jacob Power
Albert and Anne Chao, left, with Y. Ping Sun and David Leebron.Photo by Priscilla Dickson and Jacob Power
Andrea White, from left, Gail Klein, Regina Rogers and Cheryl Golub.Photos by Priscilla Dickson and Jacob Power
Nozomu Takaoka, from left, Madoka Sugihara, Michi Sugihara and Oriha Sugihara.Photo by Priscilla Dickson and Jacob Power
Tracey Shappro, left, and Terry Berry.Photo by Priscilla Dickson and Jacob Power
Gail and Dr. Milton Klein.Photo by Priscilla Dickson and Jacob Power
Sue and Lester Smith.Photo by Priscilla Dickson and Jacob Power
David Wuthrich and Beth Wolff.Photo by Priscilla Dickson and Jacob Power
Andrea White, left, and Regina Rogers.Photo by Priscilla Dickson and Jacob Power
Dr. Milton Klein, left, and David Gerger.Photos by Priscilla Dickson and Jacob Power
Holocaust survivor Naomi Warren.Photos by Priscilla Dickson and Jacob Power
Mike and Betty Tapick, left, with Carol and Jim Frankel.Photos by Priscilla Dickson and Jacob Power
Eric Blumrosen, left, and Corey Powell.Photo by Priscilla Dickson and Jacob Power
Sarah and Al Marks.Photo by Priscilla Dickson and Jacob Power
Dinner co-chairs Dr. Soner Tarim and Nancy Li.Photo by Priscilla Dickson and Jacob Power
Jodie Jiles, from left, Amanda Edwards, Sonny Jiles and Susan Bischoff.Photo by Priscilla Dickson and Jacob Power
Rosalyn and Barry Margolis.Photo by Priscilla Dickson and Jacob Power

Saluting Chinese and Japanese diplomats, Holocaust Museum Houston took a cultural turn to the Far East for the Lyndon Baines Johnson Moral Courage Award dinner at the Hilton Americas-Houston. Red Chinese and Japanese lanterns, bamboo centerpieces and a number of guests in Asian attire set the visual tone of the evening.

Close to 1,000 museum supporters turned out for the fundraiser that included entertainment by a Chinese band, by student dancers from the Oriental Arts Education Center and by soloist Iris Wei. Proceeds nudged $1.3 million for the museum.

The prestigious honors were awarded posthumously to Dr. Feng Shan Ho of China and Chiune Sugihara of Japan. Honorary dinner chair Chinese Consul General Li Qiangmin presented Ho's award to the late doctor's daughter, Manli Ho, Chinese Consul General in Vienna. Japanese Consul General Nozomu Takaoka presented Sugihara's award to the late diplomat's granddaughter, Madoka Sugihara, vice consul general for Japan in Lithuania; his daughter-in-law Michi Sugihara; and great-granddaughter, Oriha Sugihara.

The gentlemen were recognized for their efforts during World War II to save thousands of European Jews by issuing visas despite orders to the contrary from their superiors. Both were later named "Righteous Among the Nations" by Yad Vashem in Israel.

Former New York Times reporter Ellen Rodman, co-author of the new book Pepper, Silk and Ivory: Amazing Stories About Jews and the Far East, was the evening's keynote speaker.

Nancy and Jack Dinerstein chaired the event with co-chairs Nancy Li and Dr. Soner Tarim and Tracy and Brian Kapiloff.

Supporters included Sue and Lester Smith, Consul General of Israel Meir Shlomo, museum executive director Kelly Zuniga, Arthur Schechter, Gail and Dr. Milton Klein, Martine and Ricardo Weitz, Ginger Blanton, Eric Blumrosen, Heidi and David Gerger, Chris Kase, Mady and Ken Kades, Beth Wolff and Peter Berkowitz.

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Balletomane Bliss

A surprise dance and floral peacock wow at the Houston Ballet Ball

A surprise performance to Harry Styles' Golden was a highlight. Photo by Melissa Taylor
Co-chair Melissa Juneau, Honorees Edward and Deborah Koehler, co-chairs Kristy and Chris Bradshaw.Photo by Dave Rossman
Phoebe Tudor and Fady Armanious.Photo by Dave Rossman
Henry and Jean May and Stanton Welch AM.Photo by Dave Rossman
Melissa Juneau, Kevin Pickett, Laura Escalona, and Beth Muecke.Photo by Dave Rossman
Jo Furr, Myrtle Jones, and Sasha Davis.Photo by Dave Rossman
Lauren Anderson and Fady Armanious dancing at the Houston Ballet Ball.Photo by Melissa Taylor
David M. Underwood, Jr. and Christine Underwood.Photo by Dave Rossman
Hallie Vanderhider and Bobby Dees.Photo by Dave Rossman
Henry and Andrea Medina.Photo by Dave Rossman
Jim Jordan and S. Shawn Stephens.Photo by Dave Rossman
Kent and Shara Schaffer.Photo by Dave Rossman
Margaret and Jonathan Cox.Photo by Dave Rossman
Roslyn Mitchell and Stephanie Tsuru.Photo by Dave Rossman
Anne and Albert Chao.Photo by Dave Rossman
Photo by Dave Rossman
Terry Wayne Jones and Jay Jones.Photo by Dave Rossman

Artistry, opulence, and a dash of drama pirouetted into a night to remember for the Houston Ballet Ball at Wortham Theater Center on February 22. Inspired by artistic director Stanton Welch’s vibrant reimagining of Raymonda, the soirée took its cue from the ballet’s decadent Peacock Ballroom, with every shimmering detail practically winking at the crowd.

Co-chairs Kristy and Chris Bradshaw and Melissa Juneau set the stage for an evening that sashayed between elegance and playful fantasy, all in honor of Deborah and Edward Koehler, whose unwavering love for the Houston Ballet has been standing-ovation worthy.

Upon arrival, 500 couture-clad guests were greeted by cascading gold drapes and a photo op that could easily double as a set piece — a magnificent peacock fashioned from a kaleidoscope of fresh florals. With signature cocktails in hand, the crowd perused a silent auction that felt more like a treasure hunt, boasting experiences from a Rockets ball kid gig to a coveted Nutcracker walk-on role.

Houston Ballet Ball 2025 Gary and Susan Binney with the stunning floral peacock. Photo by Daniel Ortiz

The pièce de résistance? A jaw-dropping, not-so-secret surprise that unfolded after dinner. Just as balletomanes settled into their seats, the Grand Foyer transformed into a living stage as twenty-one Corps de Ballet dancers took over the black-and-white checkered dance floor, moving in shimmering synchronicity to Harry Styles’ anthem "Golden." The choreography — dreamed up by demi-soloist Jack Wolff — sparkled with personality, blending classical technique with contemporary flair. And when Lauren Anderson herself joined the dancers, the crowd’s applause rivaled the final bows at a prima’s farewell.

As gold streamers rained from above, partygoers couldn’t resist taking over the dance floor themselves, moving to the beats of Stratosphere and proving that Houstonians, even in black-tie, know how to bust a move. We’re looking at you, Fady Armanious.

Before bidding adieu, revelers were gifted gluten-free lemon poppyseed pound cakes courtesy of Michelin-starred Le Jardinier, a sweet send-off to match a night with spectacle and spirit.

More than $1.65 million was raised to support Houston Ballet’s mission to inspire a lasting love and passion for dance across the city and beyond.

Sur la pointe were Jim Nelson, Julie Kent, Margaret Alkek Williams, Stephanie and Frank Tsuru, Jennifer and Scott Allison, Sarah and Scott Barrett, Michele and Bobby Marandi, Anne and Albert Chao, Jerry Ann Woodfin-Costa, Isabel and Danny David, Pamela and Bruce Earthman, Martha and Richard Finger, Jo Furr, Hallie Vanderhider and Bobby Dees, Phoebe and Bobby Tudor, Christine and David M. Underwood Jr., Allison and Troy Thacker, Marguerite Swartz, S. Shawn and Jim Jordan, Leigh and Reggie Smith, Shara and Kent Schaffer, Akemi and Yasuhiko Saitoh, Roslyn and Derrick Mitchell, Andrea and Henry Medina, Yana and Warren McFatter, Jean and Henry May, Chad Libertus, Jay and Terry Wayne Jones, Patti Murphy, Laura and Brannon Robertson, Bernie Cantu, Sharalynn and Tim Fenn, and Sarah and Bryant Lee.