HMH Bearing Witness - November 2016

SPEAKING FROM THE HEART

AFF INI TY GROUPS

Joann Greenbaum HMH Planned Giving Profile When you visit Holocaust Museum Houston on a Monday morning, Joann Greenbaum is one of the first friendly faces you’ll see, greeting you from her perch at the front desk. A native of Manheim, Germany, Joann has been working at the Museum for over four years. “Someone at a Hadassah meeting learned I was from Germany, and had escaped the Nazi occupation,” Joann recalls. “They asked me if I’d consider volunteering, and I’ve been working here weekly, ever since.” “I was asked to attend a survivor’s meeting even though I was not in a camp,” Joann said. “I am considered a survivor, because I came here in 1938 with my parents and sisters. I was only two. We sailed on the Queen Mary and settled in New York, where my father was a grocer. After a time, we moved to Memphis, Tennessee, where I earned my BS and my teaching certificate, and taught third through fifth grade students for over 20 years. In my spare time, I taught English to refugees.” Joann’s mother was very entrepreneurial and rented out part of their duplex. This gave Joanne an early insight into real estate, and to working on her own. After an interview for a teaching post in Houston, Joann moved here in 1961 and began teaching again at the elementary school level. She took real estate classes in the summer. Before long, she became a broker, selling houses and rental properties, first for Century 21, and later on her own. She worked in the field for almost 30 years. “I was fairly successful, if I do say so myself,” she said. In her free time, she taught Sunday school at Congregation Emanu El, was an active member of Congregation Beth Yeshurun and a local leader with Hadassah, traveling to conventions around the country and Israel. “I have been to Israel many times, and I go to family events around the country for Bar Mitzvahs and weddings,” adds Joann. “Our family lives all over the world. Now that I’m retired it gives me many opportunities to travel, even back to Germany.” In her early 20s, Joann took her first trip back to Manheim, where she saw her old home and spent several weeks enjoying her native country. Years later, she traveled to Germany with one of her sisters at the invitation of the German government, which hosted a group of survivors from across the U.S. “We were treated like royalty, and I was able to see the Jewish cemetery where my grandmother is buried,” she recalls. “I’m grateful my family escaped Germany when we did, so we didn’t have to witness the Holocaust. It was a miracle.” In recognition of her unique life story, Joann, who has already gifted an annuity to HMH, chose to bequest her home to the Museum, since her family “already has plenty of possessions.” “I am an active supporter of Hadassah and St. Jude Hospital in Memphis, but this is the gift that is most meaningful to me,” she says. Ultimately, Joann’s name will be prominently displayed outside the HMH store, right near the spot she sits every Monday morning.

Holocaust Museum Houston offers a variety of opportunities for our members to support theMuseumwhile networking and creating new connections to learn more about the Holocaust and the arts and culture environment in Houston. In addition to benefits you receive at your membership level, we invite you to join one of the Museum’s affinity groups. Each exciting group is comprised of individuals who have chosen an even deeper commitment to Holocaust Museum Houston through social networking, educational programming and service projects.

Next Generation (ages 21 to 39)

Survivor Joann Greenbaum makes meaningful gifts to the Museum.

The Museum’s young professionals group, Next Generation is dedicated to promoting inclusion among individuals through preserving the lessons of the Holocaust and other genocides and cultivating awareness of these lessons in contemporary society. You can join with just a donation, small or large.

Glen Rosenbaum opened up his gorgeous midcentury home and ran his private train collection for The Art Circle and participating children including HMH staffer Stephanie Dugan’s daughter Morgan.

“I am very fortunate to be able to do this,” she said. “And it feels very good. It means everything to give back.” - Joann Greenbaum

THE BONIUK LIBRARY

The Guild

Friends of the Library

The Guild serves the mission of the Museum with commitment and unites members of the Museum community at large, through social, educational and service projects. Join the The Guild for just $25.

The Friends of the Library connects HMH members and the Houston community with The Boniuk Library’s collection and resources. All funds raised by Friends of the Library are committed to growing the collection, increasing the Library’s visibility and expanding public access to the collection. Join the Friends of the Library at the $100, $200 or $500 level.

Art Circle

The Art Circle at Holocaust Museum connects members with artists and collectors engaged in social, political and/ or human rights issues. Funds raised by your Art Circle membership support the art exhibition program at the Museum. Join the Art Circle as an individual or take advantage of special rates for couples and young professionals.

A Museum membership is required to become a supporter of any affinity group. To join any group, call Member Services at 713-527-1616 or email membership@hmh.org.

WWW.HMH.ORG

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