Holocaust Awareness Museum

and Education Center

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HAMEC Annual Gala

An Evening of Remembrance and Community

Join us for HAMEC’s Annual Gala & Silent Auction on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel in Trevose, PA. This year’s event honors Abby Gilbert, Anna Okropiridze-Cassidy, and Kira Gulko, whose dedication reflects the museum’s mission to preserve Holocaust history and foster respect among all people. Guests will gather for an inspiring evening of reflection, recognition, and support for HAMEC’s ongoing work in education, remembrance, and community outreach.

December 6, 2025

Starting at 6:00 pm

ORDER TICKETS TODAY

Radisson Hotel in Trevose, PA

Our 2025 Honorees

HAMEC Annual Gala event page

Abby Gilbert

Abby Gilbert has been leading HAMEC’s Institutional Advancement efforts since 2001 as a volunteer and professionally since 2009. Working in partnership …

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Anna Okropiridze-Cassidy, 2025 HAMEC Annual Gala honoree

Anna Okropiridze-Cassidy

Anna Okropiridze-Cassidy is a 26-year-old Georgian American, born and raised in Philadelphia.  She was raised by two strong Georgian parents …

Learn More
Kira Gulko, 2025 HAMEC Annual Gala honoree

Kira Gulko

Kira Gulko is a senior at the University of Pittsburgh, majoring in psychology. She is also minoring in business while obtaining a certificate in …

Learn More
HAMEC Annual Gala event page

2025 Gala & Silent Auction Sponsorship Levels

Through survivor stories, exhibits, and programs, HAMEC keeps Holocaust history alive and fosters respect among all people. Your contributions will allow HAMEC to bring the following services to the community.

Below are our various sponsorship levels

$100

Gala Seats: 0

Your impact: Funds a restoration or preservation of one exhibit artifact.

$150

Gala Seats: 0

Your impact: Funds Testimony Presentation/in person or virtual (matching fund)

$250

Gala Seats: 0

Your impact: Funds the Development of a Generations Project Presentation

$500

Gala Seats: 0

Your impact: Funds a virtual public program (Zoom/Facebook Live).

Recognition & benefits:

  • Name recognition in the program book and on HAMEC’s website.

$1,000

Gala Seats: 4

Your impact: Funds Artifact Collection Conservation / Quarterly Assessment.

Recognition & benefits:

  • Name recognition in the program book and on HAMEC’s website.

$2,500

Gala Seats: 4

Your impact: Funds an in-person public program

Recognition & benefits:

  • Name recognition in the program book and on HAMEC’s website.
  • Private tour and testimony at the museum for up to 10 guests

$5,000

Gala Seats: 8

Your impact: Funds a Legacy Library video testimony segment

Recognition & benefits:

  • Name recognition in the program book and on HAMEC’s website.
  • Private tour and testimony at the museum for up to 10 guests
  • Recognition in a Legacy Video

$10,000

Gala Seats: 12

Your impact: Funds 67 School programs throughout the area

Recognition & benefits:

  • Name recognition in the program book and on HAMEC’s website.
  • Private tour and testimony at the museum for up to 10 guests
  • Recognition in a Legacy Video

$25,000

Gala Seats: 12

Your impact: Supports HAMEC’s efforts to enhance exhibits and related technology

Recognition & benefits:

  • Name recognition in the program book and on HAMEC’s website.
  • Private tour and testimony at the museum for up to 10 guests
  • Recognition in a Legacy Video
  • Private Dinner with Chef Mark Twersky (for 6–8 guests) 

Celebrating our 2024 Gala
HAMEC Annual Gala event page

Abby Gilbert

Abby Gilbert has been leading HAMEC’s Institutional Advancement efforts since 2001 as a volunteer and professionally since 2009.  Working in partnership with the board and staff, Abby has led board development, grant requests and administration, strategic partnership development, and strategic partnership.   During her tenure, HAMEC grew from a little-known institution doing two dozen programs on an annual budget of $45,000 to a sustainable institution with qualified professional staff who partner with dedicated lay leaders and volunteers to provide approximately 300 programs each season.

A 40+ year veteran in the Jewish Communal Service field, Abby has also made her mark on the Philadelphia community and nationally in professional roles at Congregation Beth Or, JCCs of Greater Philadelphia, Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, Reconstructing Judaism, and the Union for Reform Judaism.  In 2021, Abby took on the Executive Director role for Tikvah AJMI, a Philadelphia Nonprofit that produces and facilitates social and community integration opportunities for adults with the lived experience of mental illness.

As a volunteer leader, Abby has transitioned to be HAMEC’s Vice President of Institutional Advancement.  Additionally, she serves on the Mental Health Committee at Congregation Beth Or, also on the boards of KleinLife, Jewish Federation Northeast Kehillah, and Women of Reform Judaism.

Abby resides in Jenkintown with her husband, Gary Freedman. Abby and Gary have two grown daughters.  They enjoy attending outdoor festivals, concerts, theater, and traveling.

Anna Okropiridze-Cassidy, 2025 HAMEC Annual Gala honoree

Anna Okropiridze-Cassidy

Anna Okropiridze-Cassidy is a 26-year-old Georgian American, born and raised in Philadelphia.  She was raised by two strong Georgian parents who exemplified kindness, thoughtfulness, and hard work. Anna attributes her positive qualities to her parents and their dedication, as well as the love they provided her.

Anna grew up immersed in Georgian American culture, and it inspired her to study human interactions on a global level. In addition to her cultural background, she was surrounded by diverse opportunities. She participated in the Generation to Generation project, where she feels fortunate to have interviewed the late Holocaust survivor Ernie Gross. During Anna’s undergraduate years in college, she launched an advocacy campaign for an Iranian scientist who remains illegally detained to this day. She even traveled to Washington, D.C., where she personally met with state representatives to ask for their public support.

Anna deeply believes in the importance of educating others about historical events. She advocates that engaging with this information on a personal level fosters deeper connections and understanding. Anna was able to pursue these interests at Drexel University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Global Studies. She is extremely passionate about human rights, social equity, language and diversity, and global health (specifically health disparities).

Anna’s most recent personal achievement is marrying her husband, Tyler. Her current priority is caring for her family and nurturing her home. Anna plans to return to her studies in the near future with a focus on international diplomacy and global health.

Kira Gulko, 2025 HAMEC Annual Gala honoree

Kira Gulko

Kira Gulko is a senior at the University of Pittsburgh, majoring in psychology. She is also minoring in business while obtaining a certificate in corporate and community relations. While being a full-time student, Kira also works part-time. At Pitt, she is actively involved in the Delta Phi Epsilon sorority, Ballet Club, Chabad, and the psychology honor society, Psi Chi. Kira’s experiences have honed her leadership skills and deepened her commitment to community engagement.

Kira is a granddaughter of Holocaust survivors and has been profoundly connected to the Jewish community throughout her entire life.

Kira’s dedication to Holocaust education and survivor advocacy is exemplified through her volunteer work with the Holocaust Survivor Program at KleinLife. Additionally, she has participated in the Diller Teen Fellows program, a yearlong leadership initiative that empowers teens to explore their Jewish identities and inspires them to become active leaders committed to tikkun olam. Through her work, Kira has prioritized amplifying survivors’ voices, ensuring their narratives continue to educate and inspire future generations.

In the summer of 2024, Kira completed the Franklin C. Ash Summer Internship Program through JEVS Human Services, interning at Women Against Abuse. During her internship, she attended a conference where a Holocaust survivor shared his story after touring the Holocaust Museum. This event, where many attendees hadn’t even met a survivor, deeply moved everyone. It reinforced Kira’s values and the importance of preserving these narratives. Through these experiences, Kira remains steadfast in her mission to honor the past by educating others and ensuring that the stories of Holocaust survivors continue to resonate and inspire action.