Left to right, Klara Silverstein, founding museum trustee Larry Silverstein, museum chairman Bruce Ratner, and museum vice chairman George Klein, gathered at the Museum of Jewish Heritage for a luncheon on Oct. 27 to honor the chairman of Silverstein Properties for his commitment both to building the museum, and to rebuilding the neighborhood of Downtown.
BY BILL EGBERT
One of the leading figures of Lower Manhattan’s struggle to recover from the destruction wrought by the 9/11 attacks was honored last week by a Downtown institution dedicated to remembering one of history’s most profound stories of devastation, perseverance, and restoration.
The Museum of Jewish Heritage celebrated the contributions of Larry Silverstein — the chairman of Silverstein Properties and a founding trustee of the museum — at the museum’s inaugural luncheon of the Museum of Jewish Heritage’s Real Estate and Allied Trades Division on Oct. 27.
“The Museum of Jewish Heritage was proud to recognize our beloved Trustee Larry Silverstein and his family, whose extraordinary contributions to building our city have ensured so that the Museum’s neighborhood of Lower Manhattan will have an enduring legacy for generations to come” said Bruce C. Ratner, the museum chairman. “Larry is a great American hero and we couldn’t be more pleased to honor him.”
The stars of the New York real estate community gathered at the 4 World Trade Center last week to honor Larry and his wife Klara, along with their children, Roger, Lisa, and Tal Kerret, for their commitment to supporting the museum and their leadership throughout the arduous process rebuilding Lower Manhattan.
“This point of recognition for the Silverstein family is quite special as we raise funds to support the Museum’s future as a world-class Holocaust museum that serves as a beacon of hope to all New Yorkers and to those who visit from far and wide,” said Michael S. Glickman, the museum’s president and CEO.
The event brought together more than 450 guests and raised more than $3.2 million to support the museum’s mission of Holocaust education and remembrance — as well as its efforts to combat anti-Semitism, which has seen a disturbing rise over the past year.
The Silverstein’s were inspired by the museum’s new alliance with the real estate industry and allied trades.
“My family and I are delighted to support the launch of the Real Estate and Allied Trades Division of this incredible Museum,” said Larry Silverstein. “This event was an opportunity for me to bring together the four great passions of my life: my family, my faith, my colleagues in business, and the great Downtown neighborhood the Museum calls home.”
The Luncheon host committee included Milton Cooper of Kimco Realty, Jeffrey J. Feil of The Feil Organization, Winston C. Fisher of Fisher Brothers, Eugene M. Grant of Eugene M. Grant & Company, H. Dale Hemmerdinger of Atco Properties & Management, Peter S. Kalikow of H.J. Kalikow & Co., George Klein of Park Tower Group, and Bruce C. Ratner of Forest City Ratner Companies.
The Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust is dedicated to educating people of all ages and backgrounds about the diverse history of Jewish life over the past century — before, during, and after the Holocaust. It is the new home of the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene, now in its 102nd season.
