Holocaust Museum Houston LBJ Moral Courage Award Dinner Triumphs, Raising $2 Million

Organization’s Most Successful Dinner In 20 Years Delights Patrons

By Rob Giardinelli     Photography by Priscilla Dickson and Jacob Power Photography

THE SCENE: The Hilton Americas-Houston was the setting for one of the city’s best-attended and most anticipated signature fundraising events. A jam-packed crowd featuring over 1,400 of Space City’s most notable community leaders, activists, sociables, and philanthropists turned out for the annual Lyndon Baines Johnson Moral Courage Award Dinner. Benefiting the Holocaust Museum Houston, the highly impactful and emotional fundraising night resulted in an impressive seven-figure raise, the organization’s most successful dinner in 20 years.

THE VIBE: The cocktail-attired crowd featured a wide range of ensembles. Men could be seen sporting suits in dark colors, neutrals, and various shades of blue, while women donned an array of neutrals, metallics, colors, and print cocktail dresses and pant suits. The result was a welcoming environment for all the attendees.

The festivities began in the Hilton Americas-Houston ballroom foyer for cocktail hour. Guests sipped on their favorite spirits, mingled with friends old and new, all brimming with anticipation of the night that lay ahead.

The action then moved into the Hilton Americas-Houston ballroom for the main program. The room was transformed into an elegant space with sophisticated blue and white lighting that perfectly complemented the spring floral arrangement on the tables, featuring an array of colors including whites, yellows, oranges, greens, and blues courtesy of River Oaks Plant House. After the event, the flowers were donated to the Seven Acres Jewish Senior Care Services courtesy of Petal Power.

Khambrel Marshall served as emcee, effortlessly informing and entertaining the crowd while keeping the festivities moving at a brisk pace. The program began with an emotionally moving performance of “Jerusalem of Gold” by flutist Ariella Pearlman. An invocation by Rabbi Brian Strauss and Co-Pastor Becky Keenan followed this. Guests then dined on a multicourse, kosher meal, having the opportunity to mingle with their tablemates and enjoy one another’s company. The evening’s honorees were Rachel Goldberg-Polin and Josh Polin.

THE NON-PROFIT: The 2025 Lyndon Baines Johnson Moral Courage Award Dinner, co-chaired by Tali and Eric Blumrosen & Susan and Michael Bono with Dr. Riva Collins and Ira Mitzner serving as honorary chairs, raised an astounding $2 million for the Holocaust Museum Houston. Proceeds raised from the event will support the organization’s programs and educational initiatives.