30th Anniversary Guardians Commemorative Book - Book - Page 216
ASSURING
STABILITY
My father was from
the town of Grybów
in Poland. He was
forced into a number
of ghettos, sent to Auschwitz,
and was eventually liberated from
Dachau. His parents, both of his
sisters, and all of his nephews and
nieces perished. Growing up the
son of a Holocaust survivor, then
witnessing Bosnia and Rwanda,
and eventually Darfur, made me
recognize that we did not learn
all of the lessons of the Holocaust
necessary to prevent genocide
from occurring again.
Our family has been an active,
ongoing supporter of the Museum’s
current activities, particularly around
the issue of modern-day genocide. I
do not believe that there is a better
platform or institution in the world
with the knowledge, experience,
and connections to affect greater
impact on this issue. Three years ago,
we were the major funders of the
Museum exhibition on contemporary
genocide, From Memory to Action,
which asks visitors, ‘What will you
214 l UNITED STATES HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM LEGACY OF LIGHT GUARDIANS
do to make a difference?’ Looking
forward, I believe those of us who
care deeply about the relevance of this
history and this Museum have to ask
ourselves that same question.
We are concerned about the
Museum’s long-term requirements
and consider supporting the
endowment—especially the
unrestricted endowment—a critical
part of what we do in addition to our
annual support. I can’t predict today
what the most pressing challenges will
be when the Museum taps the funds
supported by my legacy gift. But I
have such regard for the Museum’s
leadership and their stewardship that
I want to provide maximum flexibility
through a general, unrestricted gift.
I would like to be optimistic and
believe that the world is going to
become a better, nicer place, but
in reality, the need for what the
Museum does will most likely grow.
Building its endowment today
is essential to assure that it can
continue its tremendous mission
and programming on a consistent
basis many years from now.”
