Curated Texan
Holocaust Museum Houston’s Annual Guarding Of The Human Spirit Event Honors Patrons Rhona and Bruce Caress
By Rob Giardinelli Photography by Wilson Parish and Jacob Power
Vicky and Michael Richker
THE SCENE: The Hilton Americas Houston was the recent setting for an afternoon of fundraising for one of the city’s most popular annual luncheons. Over 750 of the city’s most notable philanthropists, sociables, and community leaders turned out for the Holocaust Museum Houston’s annual Guardian of the Human Spirit Luncheon, which honored long-time supporters Rhona and Bruce Caress.
THE VIBE: The cocktail-chic crowd began the afternoon with a reception in the foyer outside the Hilton Ballroom where old friends reacquainted and new friends were made. The festivities then moved into the ballroom for the main program. As guests dined on their tasty kosher meals, emcee KPRC meteorologist Khambrel R. Marshall kept the festivities flowing at a fun, brisk pace. After the invocation, Board Chair Barbara Herz presented the annual Guardian of the Human Spirit award to Rhona and Bruce Caress who have been supporters of the museum since its inception. The afternoon was capped off with a keynote address from nine-time Emmy Award-winning Director, Executive Producer, and native Houstonian Thomas Schlamme.
THE NON-PROFIT: The event, co-chaired Mandy and Ronnie Caress, Jessica Strehlow and Brian Caress, and Denise and Steve Estrin raised over $710,000 for Holocaust Museum Houston. Since its founding in 1996, the museum has helped build a more humane society by promoting responsible behavior, pursuing social justice, and cultivating civility. Proceeds raised from the event will go towards educational programming initiatives at the museum.
