Illinois Holocaust Museum's Annual Soirée Raises $400,000 To Combat Hate And Support Education

By Kaila Stang By Kaila Stang | February 28, 2025

The Women’s Board of the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center hosted its annual Soirée at Bryn Mawr Country Club to raise funds in support of the museum’s mission to combat hatred, prejudice and indifference, and to inspire visitors to speak out for what’s right. The event highlighted the museum’s current exhibition, Shtetl in the Sun: Andy Sweet’s South Beach 1977-1980, celebrating the community’s interactions, daily activities, outdoor Jewish services and the dynamic energy of a bustling populace.

Over 350 guests gathered for the evening, enjoying hors d’oeuvres, cocktails and bidding on silent auction items. Senior VP of Education & Exhibitions Kelley Szany highlighted the museum’s groundbreaking use of holographic and virtual reality technology, followed by a video featuring Holocaust survivors, students and teachers sharing the museum’s impact. At the video’s conclusion, Holocaust survivor Rodi Glass emphasized the critical role of education in combating antisemitism and hate.

The evening raised $400,000, which will support upcoming special exhibitions, field trips to the museum (both virtual and in-person) for students in underserved communities, teacher professional development and the Museum’s new mobile virtual reality program.

Jamie Fleischmann, Leslie Sarnoff and Laura Novy