Party Watch

CNN anchor headlines Holocaust Museum Houston's $1.3 million fundraiser

Nearly 1,000 distinguished guests gathered at the Hilton Americas-Houston for the Holocaust Museum Houston's (HMH) annual Lyndon Baines Johnson Moral Courage Award Dinner. Dana Bash, CNN anchor and chief political correspondent, a third-generation Holocaust survivor, moderated the event which included a conversation with former Ambassador Stuart E. Eizenstat and Marion Ein Lewin, a child Holocaust survivor from the Netherlands.

The event raised nearly $1.3 million for HMH's general operating funds, which will focus on educational programming. Stephanie and Frank Tsuru chaired the fundraising dinner while Heidi and David Gerger and Leisa Holland-Nelson Bowman served as host committee chairs. Sue Smith served as honorary chair, with honorary vice chairs including Donna Fujimoto Cole, Nancy and Jack Dinerstein, Elaine Finger, Patti and Mike Morgan, Carol and David Neuberger, Jeri and Marc Shapiro, Ileana and Michael Treviño and Kay and the Honorable Fred Zeidman.

For 28 years, the LBJ Moral Courage Award has been awarded to individuals who have taken a stand against hatred and prejudice while using their influence to improve the world. This year's recipient, the Honorable Stuart E. Eizenstat, has served in six U.S. administrations. He began on the White House Staff of President Lyndon Johnson and still serves under President Biden as Special Advisor to Holocaust Issues to the Secretary of State Antony Blinken. His career, spanning decades, has always included work on Holocaust issues.

The rapt crowd listened attentively to a discussion between Eizendsate and Ein Lewin led by Bash which spanned topics from Eizenstat's personal relationship with President Lyndon B. Johnson to restitution for Holocaust survivors. Ein Lewin also told her family's story of survival and shared her hopes for a future without prejudice and hate.

"Ambassador Eizenstat has dedicated a lifetime of service to fighting antisemitism and honoring Holocaust survivors," said HMH interim co-executive director Tamara Savage. "We're honored to have presented such a poignant conversation between him, Marion Ein Lewin, and Dana Bash."

VIPs spotted in the crowd included Paula Goldstein, Drs. Mia and Remus Wright, Mady and Ken Kades, Phoebe and Bobby Tudor, Rhona and Bruce Caress, Y. Ping Sun and David Leebron, Regina Rogers, Brian Caress and Jessica Strehlow, Limor and Stuart Smith, Shelly and Brian Hendry, Benjamin Warren, Mindy and Steve Finger, and Barry Mandel and Dr.Scott Sawyer.

Photo by Wilson Parish

HMH board chair Barbara J. Herz, CNN anchor Dana Bash, honoree Ambassador Stuart E. Eizenstat, and Marion Ein Lewin.

shock and awe

Dark elegance and spooky splendor raise $1.1M for Children’s Museum Houston

When the Children’s Museum Houston threw its annual adult fête on October 26, the Corinthian wasn’t just an event space, it was a full-on haunted playground for the city’s imaginative souls. Nearly 500 attendees — clad in mysterious black lace, horns, feathers, and flowing capes — stepped into a realm where goth and childhood wonder collided with spectacular results.

This year’s “Noir Ball: A Celebration of Haunted Elegance,” chaired by Whitney and Ryan Burns and Allison and Iván Chávez, made no bones about its moody vibe. From the moment partygoers floated in, the eerie ambiance—think chandeliers dripping in ghostly light and roses under glass cages—set the stage.

The masterminds at Bergner and Johnson Design turned the room into a scene from a spellbinding fairytale, where fog floated ominously across a grand fountain, dotted with rose petals and flickering candles. One could practically hear the spirits whisper.

And as any child knows, no Halloween is complete without a little shock and awe. At one point, lightning cracked and thunder rolled through the room. Even the sweet tooth found its haunting hour with Jackson and Co.’s darkly decadent desserts, including cake candles that might just have you second-guessing what’s edible. It was a feast fit for vampires, werewolves, and Houston’s social elite alike.

Adding to the festivities, ‘80s cover band The Spazmatics revived the dance floor with a high-energy, undead-worthy set, pulling every last creature of the night into their spell. With the iconic chandeliers casting an ethereal glow, the floor was alive with revelers reliving their MTV glory days.

Maleficent, Dracula, and Wednesday Addams mingled with the crowd, adding a dash of dark fantasy to the evening’s ambiance while paddle bids flew during the live and silent auctions chaired by Devorah Krieger and Elizabeth McIngvale-Mackey. Highlights included everything from a diamond necklace to a puppy duo courtesy of K-9 Angels Rescue. Guests vied with ghostly fervor for a bangle donated by Zadok Jewelers. After a close battle, Yana Rodilosso emerged triumphant

The evening raised a spine-tingling $1.14 million, the museum’s second-highest tally ever, all to fuel its mission to nurture Houston's young minds.

Among the undead were Alexandra and Alex Cabraie, Antoinette and Julian Duncan, Kathryn and Travis Boeker, Erin Smith, Bethany and Ben Buchanan, Courtney and Bo Hughes, Deanna Altenhoff, Darren Brasher, Stephanie Wilcox, Freddie Minahan, Heather and Mark Teshoian, Iona and Mike Avery, Veronica and John Griffin, Lacey and Matt Goossen, Ashley and Jonathan Sloan, Neil Badlani and Rekha Muddaraj, Cassandra and Ryan Dalton, and Matthew Mackey.

Photo by Alexander’s Fine Portrait Design

Ashley Sloan, Kathryn Boeker, Erin Smith, and Bethany Buchanan.

Party Watch

CNN anchor headlines Holocaust Museum Houston's $1.3 million fundraiser

How to watch the invite-only Michelin Guide Texas ceremony — plus predictions

20 Houston restaurants making Thanksgiving easier with to-go meals

A Houston desi wedding to remember: Ruchi and Walter’s unforgettable union

shock and awe

Dark elegance and spooky splendor raise $1.1M for Children’s Museum Houston