Philanthropists Aim to Inspire Future Generations

Among the many philanthropic interests and passions of Anne and Don Graubart, education has always been a high priority. Close friends of Benjamin and Joy Warren and their extended family, the Graubarts were moved by the life of Benjamin’s mother, Holocaust Survivor Naomi Warren, and in turn, drawn to the museum and its important message.

Don, whose Austrian and Polish parents left Europe 100 years ago, has long connected to his Jewish heritage via his faith, its culture and his knowledge of the Holocaust. Anne, who converted to Judaism early in their 40+ year marriage, and served on the Holocaust Museum Houston Board, quickly learned about the need to teach the story of the Holocaust to younger generations.

“HMH is the voice of the future for educating people,” she says. “Someone has got to be here to tell the stories of the survivors and just as importantly, provide programs for those who don’t have a way to learn about the Holocaust.”

 “We want and need to keep the continuity of our faith through education,” adds Don. “Through the Create a Legacy program, we have made a commitment to support the museum on an ongoing basis, as part of our Jewish legacy. We have made this important institution part of our family, and through a planned gift, hope to make an impact as a way of thanking the Houston community for building, growing and sustaining it.”

Multiple Commitments

Another passion of the Graubarts is the Emery Weiner School, where three of their four grandchildren were students. Today, the Graubarts underwrite a program to send EW seniors to Israel and Poland, to provide a firsthand opportunity to “directly experience their heritage and the roots of antisemitism.”

Raised in Mt. Vernon, New York, Don spent many years in the securities industry, and eventually founded and ran his own niche money management firm. Anne, a native of Martinsburg, West Virginia, was raised in a Methodist home and after moving to Houston, worked as a successful employment recruiter.

Over the years, the Graubarts have generously supported other causes dear to them, both with their time and resources. For many years, Anne served on the Executive Committee of the Houston Ballet Foundation, and as a board member and weekly volunteer for Communities in Schools, “a fantastic drop-out-prevention program.” Don has been active with the Jewish Federation and Goodwill Industries. A longtime proponent of philanthropic giving and planning, he has twice served as the Chairman of the Houston Jewish Community Foundation. The couple also supports Jewish Family Service and cancer prevention and research.

Enduring Values

“We have a strong passion for the Jewish community, and with the gift of grandchildren, a real concern about maintaining this passion from one generation to the next,” explains Don. “Whatever success we’ve been fortunate to have, we want to share while we’re alive. We have set up donor advised funds for our grandchildren to give to charity and have made several significant challenge grants to organizations that matter. We have intentionally chosen to make our initiatives public, as a means to inspire others. Giving back is rewarding, allows us to serve a higher cause, and makes the world a better place. It also feels really good to pass on to our family the importance of perpetuating the culture, beliefs and programs we hold dear. It is a win-win in every direction.”

Like Anne and Don Graubart, you can ensure the stories and lessons of the Holocaust endure. Contact Colton Larsen at clarsen@hmh.org or 713-527-1612 to learn about many ways to give that make a big impact on the Museum but not on your budget.