As antisemitism, conspiracy theories, and Holocaust distortion surge across the world, we must unleash the power of Holocaust history and educate new generations about its ongoing relevance. On September 9, our Chicago community gathered to support this urgent mission. During this memorable and meaningful event, we discussed the Museum’s unique educational role and the importance of sharing the truth in today’s troubling environment. We also pledged to honor the memory of all the innocent lives that were lost in the Holocaust by working together to promote our common humanity. If you could not attend, we hope you will still support the Museum’s critical work. Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, the increased portion of your gift will be matched dollar for dollar. By giving at least one dollar more than last year's donation, you double your contribution to the Museum's critical work.
Honoree
Honoree
- Beatrice (Trixie) Muchman
Recipient of the National Leadership Award
Watch a WGN News feature on Trixie Muchman. Beatrice “Trixie” Muchman, born Beatrix Westheimer in Berlin, survived the Holocaust hidden with Catholics in Ottignies, Belgium. In 1942 when she was nine, she and her cousin went to stay with two Catholic sisters, as arranged by their parents. The sisters told villagers the children were their niece and nephew, and the local priest helped protect them.
Beatrice’s parents, Julius and Meta Westheimer, sent their only child into hiding to keep her safe. They were later killed—Julius on his way to Auschwitz and Meta after she arrived at Auschwitz.
After liberation, Beatrice was reunited with her maternal grandmother, and they immigrated to the United States in 1946.
Beatrice became a teacher and regularly speaks about her experiences during the Holocaust and the importance of individual responsibility. For more than three decades she has supported the Museum, and she has donated precious artifacts to our collection, including a diary and poems that she wrote while in hiding, photographs of family members, correspondence, and other documents.
Speakers
Keynote Speaker
- Mitch Albom
Internationally renowned bestselling author, journalist, and devout philanthropist
Mitch Albom's books, which include the no. 1 bestselling memoir of all time, Tuesdays with Morrie, have collectively sold more than 40 million copies in 48 languages worldwide. His 2023 release, The Little Liar, is a powerful novel of hope and forgiveness that moves from a coastal Greek city during the Holocaust to America in the golden age of Hollywood, as the intertwined lives of three young survivors are forever changed by the perils of deception and the grace of redemption.
Much like his books and presentations on stage, Albom’s nationally syndicated column at Detroit Free Press offers accessible cultural commentary that invites readers to reflect on their own lives, values, and the broader human experience. Albom is the founder of SAY Detroit, an umbrella organization that is home to nine charities dedicated to improving the lives of Detroit’s underserved population. He also founded and operates the Have Faith Haiti orphanage in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, which he has visited every month since 2010. Photo: Jesse Nasser
Museum Speaker
- Gretchen Skidmore
Director, Education Initiatives, William Levine Family Institute for Holocaust Education
Before serving in her current role as director of the Museum's Education Initiatives, Gretchen Skidmore was the director of the Museum’s Civic and Defense Initiatives, developing and facilitating programs for military and government professionals both nationally and internationally.
Previously, she was a member of the humanities faculty at the North Carolina School for Science and Mathematics in Durham, North Carolina, and served as an adjunct professor of English at Georgetown University in Washington, DC, and Meredith College in Raleigh, North Carolina. Gretchen received a BA in German and history from West Virginia University and an MA in modern European history from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Event Leadership
Event Chairs
- Kim and Perry Shwachman
For more than 25 years, Kim has served in a variety of volunteer roles in the Chicago metropolitan area. Currently, she is on the board of directors for the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago. For the JUF, Kim is on the board of directors of Women’s Philanthropy, serves on several committees, and in 2021, she was chair of the JUF Annual Campaign. In addition, Kim is on the board of trustees of The Ark, Chicago, and she is a trustee of The Jewish Women’s Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago.
Perry is a partner at Sidley Austin and is the leader of Sidley’s global Financial Institutions group and a member of the firm’s management committee and executive committee.
Kim and Perry have been active Museum supporters who have hosted a snowbird fundraising event at their home in California, traveled with a Museum delegation to Rwanda, and served as vice chairs of the 2020 Chicago Luncheon. Most recently, Kim and Perry were honored to participate in an unveiling of their family name on the Donors Wall in Washington, DC. They reside in Northbrook, Illinois, and their children, Blair (son in law, Brad Neuberg), Dani, and Tyler all reside in Chicago.
Vice Chairs
Laurie and Todd Lustbader Rachel and David Sternberg Marilyn and Michael Vender
2024 Chicago Luncheon Sponsors
Gifts as of September 3, 2024
$100,000 or more Bluhm Family Charitable Foundation Abe and Ida Cooper Foundation The Crown and Goodman Families Deloitte LLP The Herr Family, in memory of Jeffrey Herr JPMorgan Chase Bank JP Morgan Susan Karkomi and Marvin Leavitt The Jules and Gwen Knapp Charitable Foundation Ann Wolk Krouse, in memory of Paul C. Krouse and Amy Krouse Rosenthal Lefkofsky Family Foundation Richard B. Saks* Kim and Perry Shwachman Sidley Austin Foundation Zell Family Foundation
$50,000–$99,999
The Lester and Edward Anixter Family Foundation Jacolyn and John Bucksbaum Julie and Louis Bucksbaum Carylon Foundation The Cynthia Elkins Foundation GCM Grosvenor Harris Family Foundation—Linda and Bill Friend, Pam Szokol, Caryn and King Harris, Stephanie and John Harris Kaplan Family Foundation Kovler Family Foundation Lauren and Todd Lustbader Malkin Family The Perlman Family Foundation founded by Anita and Louis Perlman Elaine and Arlen Rubin Cari and Michael J. Sacks Jamie Diamond Schwartz and David Schwartz Karyn and Bill Silverstein Robert and Penelope Steiner Family Foundation The Steinfeld Family Kathy Hess Tallering and Ken Tallering
$25,000–$49,999 Leadership Circle (gifts of $25,000+)
Anonymous Aaron Wealth Advisors, Gary and Hannah Hirschberg Abt Family Foundation Rebecca and Dmitry Balyasny Robert and Leslie Mitchel Bond Marcy and Greg Carlin Shari and Mark Coe Rita and Seymour Cohen EMA Electromechanics, Inc. Loren and Howard Friend Laurie and Phillip Gerber Diane and Hal Gershowitz, Lisa and Larry Kite, Barbara and Daniel Kite, Jill and Bill Friedman, Amy and Andy Lask, Jennifer and Michael Gershowitz Families Danielle Rudas Goodman and Jordan Goodman Sheila and Joseph Gutman and Family Carol and Bill Kaplan/Senior Lifestyle Jill and Jory Katlin Priscilla and Steven Kersten Risa, Harvey, Susan, Ronald, and Dana Lambert Family Elaine and Donald Levinson Livney Family Foundation Jill and Paul Meister Dr. Suzanne and Lee Miller Publicis Groupe Elise Sacks, in loving memory of Lee Sacks The Schwartz Family and Schwartz Capital Group Dee Dee and Eliot Simon Rachel and David Sternberg Tucker Family Foundation Marilyn and Michael Vender Tina and Joe Wolf Janna and Sheffield Wolk
$15,000–$24,999
Associated Agencies Inc./Herz and Schrayer Families Katie and J.R. Berger Michael Berger and Megan Robbins Marlene Breslow Blitstein and Berle Blitstein Mr. and Mrs. Norman Bobins, The Robert Thomas Bobins Foundation Carol and Doug Cohen Cheryl Kraff Cooper and Carey Cooper Denise and Scott Davis DLA Piper US LLP Lance Friedmann and Sari Gluckin Dr. Carolyn Friend-Weiner and Dr. James Weiner Barbara George Gold Greenberg Traurig Michelle and Corey Harris Hecktman Family Foundation Drs. Elena and Perry Kamel Beth and Mark Kaufmann Andrea Kott and Mark Levine BHD Kozloff Family Foundation, Denise Kozloff & David Gross and Dana & Craig Sanders Mark Labkon Lori and Ross Laser Fifi and Ron Levin/Barbara and Ira Eichner Jodi and Paul Loeb and Family Rabbi Steven Stark Lowenstein and Julie Stark Tracey and Andy Lowenthal Carol Maxon Merrill Lynch Private Wealth Management—The Baldwin Marcovici Group Mesirow Financial Andy and Nancy Mills Sylvia Neil and Dan Fischel The Perlow Family Linda and Richard Price and Family Richard and Karen Reisin Jason B. Rosenthal and Family, in memory of Amy Krouse Rosenthal Charles and M. R. Shapiro Foundation Marci and Keith Shapiro Sheba Foundation Melissa and Marc Spellman and Family Leslie and David Storch and Family Takiff Family Foundation Ellen Wallace and Steve Gould Richard and Diane Weinberg Paula and Ken Weissman and Family
Media Sponsors
Midwest Regional Office
The Midwest Regional Office serves Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New York (upstate), North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Find out more about past programs and how to contact us.