Simon Wiesenthal Center Annual Tribute Dinner
More than 300 guests from around the world attended Simon Wiesenthal Center’s South Florida Annual Tribute Dinner at the InterContinental Miami. The highlight of the evening was the Simon Wiesenthal 2009 Legacy Award presentation to Mario Kreutzberger, “Don Francisco” by Gloria and Emilio Estefan.
Kreutzberger, renowned television host of “Sabado Gigante,” one of the most popular programs in the history of Spanish-language television was honored for his commitment to social responsibility, philanthropy, and cultural diversity. In an emotional acceptance speech, the television legend paid tribute to his parents, German Jews who fled Nazi Germany to Chile where he was born. A three-minute clip from Kreutzberger’s documentary, “Witnesses to the Silence,” which follows him on the “March of the Living” on the 60th anniversary of the holocaust, bought many in the audience to tears.
The celebrity-filled guest list included Mario and Temy Kreutzberger, Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Cristina Saralegui and her husband Marcos Avila (Honorary Tribute Dinner Chairs), NBC 6 Anchor Jackie Nespral who emceed,Rabbi Meyer H. May, Executive Director, Simon Wiesenthal Center, U.S. Ambassador to Chile, José Goni, Consul General of Chile, Juan Luis Nilo and Consul General of Israel, Ofer Bavly. Tribute Dinner Co-Chairs were: Moj and Robert Danial, Maria and George Feldenkreis, Fanny Hanono, and Isabel May. Tribute Committee Chairs were: Madeline and Herbert Hillsberg, Hildine and Jerome Potashnick, Liora Haymann and Jorge Rosenblut.
Proceeds from the Tribute Dinner will benefit the programs and activities of the Simon Wiesenthal Center and its Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles. To make a donation to Simon Wiesenthal Center, contact Linda Slavin, Director, Southern Region at lslavin@wiesenthal.com or 1-800-262-1627.
