Standing ovations were the order of the day at Holocaust Museum Houston's Guardian of the Human Spirit luncheon — generous applause for the Harry Mach family, honored for their community service and philanthropy, and for Holocaust survivor Ruth Steinfeld, whose compelling story left not a dry eye in the Hilton Americas-Houston ballroom.

Harry Mach accepted the award on behalf of the family, all of whom were in attendance — Cora Sue Mach, Carmen and Butch Mach and Steve and Joella Mach — and all of whom who have contributed richly to the community landscape. The Guardian of the Human Spirit award was established in 1997 to acknowledge Houstonians who work to enhance the lives of others and to better mankind.

In her remarks, Steinfeld urged each of the nearly 700 individuals filling the ballroom to follow the Mach family example of being "upstanders." She challenged those in attendance to sign pledge cards, raising an additional $32,000 to help bring school children to the museum to learn about the dangers of hatred, prejudice and apathy.

Beth and Jeff Early and Carolyn and Michael Mann chaired the luncheon that brought in $300,000, before those pledges were made. Joining in the program was museum board chair Tali Blumrosen.

The luncheon gathering included Mayor Annise Parker, Fred Zeidman, Dr. Kelli Cohen Fein and Martin Fein, Arthur Schechter, City Council members Ellen Cohen and Steve Costello, Harris County Attorney Vince Ryan, Sallie and George Alcorn, Punkin and Walter Hecht, Phoebe and Bobby Tudor, Barry Mandel, Carol and Michael Goldberg, Marianne Ivany and Laurie and Dr. Milton Boniuk.