Community Event

2025 New York Benefit

Democracy Depends on Us: Facing History & Ourselves

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New York, NY

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$1000.00

This event is in the past.

Co-Chairs Ruth Lazarus & Michael S. Feldberg, Sarah & Mark Najarian, and Heidi & Richard Rieger invite you to be inspired on April 8 at the New York Benefit!

The next generation of leaders is sitting in classrooms today, navigating changes in our country and learning how to be informed, engaged citizens. This year's theme Democracy Depends on Us will ask what it takes to sustain and protect a democracy for all. Learn with us through an engaging and dynamic panel that will speak to threats to democracy such as the rise in antisemitism and racism, the importance of media literacy, and how Facing History is working to help educators to address these in the classroom.

When you support Facing History, you are supporting educators to equip their students with tools to learn about complex moments in history and build empathy and compassion across differences. Show your early support by becoming a sponsor today!

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When + Where

Tuesday, April 8, 2025
6:00-9:00 pm

The New York Historical
170 Central Park West, New York, NY 10024

Martha Minow

300th Anniversary University Professor, Harvard University

A member of the Facing History & Ourselves Board of Scholars, Martha Minow has taught at Harvard Law School since 1981 and served as dean for eight years (2009-2017). An expert in constitutional law and human rights, her work has focused on issues confronting historically marginalized individuals and groups, legal responses to social, political, and religious conflict, and legal treatments of digital communications and technologies. She is a board member at GBH (public media) and the Campaign Legal Center, a nonpartisan organization devoted to strengthening electoral and voting processes in the United States.

Mark Treyger

Chief Executive Officer, Jewish Community Relations Council of New York

Mark Treyger began his service as Chief Executive Officer of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York in March of 2024. Prior to assuming the helm of JCRC-NY, he served as Senior Educator Advisor and Director of Intergovernmental Affairs for New York City Public Schools. Mark also served as a New York City Council Member for the 47th District of New York from 2014 to 2021, and was the chairperson of the City Council’s Committee on Education. Previously he spent eight years teaching history at New Utrecht High School. Mark is a proud former Facing History student!

Eric K. Ward

Executive Vice President Race Forward

Eric K. Ward is a notable civil rights leader known for his innovative approaches to combating white nationalism, antisemitism and advancing racial justice. The only American recipient of the Civil Courage Prize, Eric has over three decades of leadership in community organizing and philanthropy, and has worked with leaders from government, law enforcement, labor, business, and social movements to advance civil rights work. Ward has emerged as a stalwart national leader in the fight against authoritarianism and organized racism, including antisemitism.

Advocate

Our advisory board furthers the organization’s mission by serving as ambassadors to their communities regarding local programs, projects, and partnerships.

*Board of Directors; **Leadership Council

Caren Osten Gerszberg, Chair*

Todd Albert

Jennifer Aubrey**

Zoe Bernstein

Rob Beyer

Ceci Chan**

Lee A. Daniels

Fleur Fairman**

Michael S. Feldberg**

Lori R. Fife*

Mark S. Fife*

Bjorn Haines

Joseph Jackson

Julie Leff*

Evelyn Segal Lipton

Tamara Levenson

Evan C. Meyers**

Mark Najarian

Jane C. Och**

Julia Pershan

Heidi G.C. Rieger

Lisa Roth

Lisa Shamus

Michael Shuman

Elina Tetelbaum

Shai Waisman

Kate Waisman

Our Work in New York

Facing History & Ourselves uses lessons of history to challenge teachers and their students to stand up to bigotry and hate. Our classroom resources and professional development offerings examine racism, antisemitism, and prejudice at pivotal moments in history. We help students learn about human behavior and the choices individuals made in the past, and connect them to the choices they confront in their own lives today. Facing History’s approach equips educators with the tools to nurture empathy, analytical thinking, and civic agency in generations of young people.

Founded in 1993, our New York office has trained educators who currently represent nearly 2,700 public, charter, independent, and religious schools throughout the tri-state area.

Learn More at the New York Office Page.

Contact Us

For more information please contact Emily Brostek at 646-998-5840 x423 or at emily_brostek [at] facinghistory.org.

Make a 100% tax-deductible donation today and you'll help us reach even more teachers and students around the world, giving them the tools to fight back against hatred and bigotry.

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