White Rose Tribute

Save the Date!

2025 White Rose Tribute Event
March 27, 2025 | 6:30 PM
Winter Park Convention Center

The White Rose Tribute Event, organized annually by the Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Florida, marks its 36th year celebrating visionary leaders who exemplify inclusivity in Central Florida. Named after the center’s founder, the Tess Wise White Rose Award honors the legacy of The White Rose, a non-violent resistance group against Nazi tyranny during World War II, by recognizing community members who actively promote a more inclusive and respectful society. The event not only commemorates individuals and organizations for their contributions towards education, arts, culture, and community service but also supports the Holocaust Center’s educational initiatives, aiming to inspire students across all ages with unique cultural learning opportunities.

2024 Event

  • Dr. Joel Hunter and Judy Albertson 

  • Michelle Feinberg

    Laurie Levin

    Hali Poteshman

    Rick Schell

    Sean Shecter

    Kathy Turner

    Taylor Warner-Valdez

    Paula Wyatt

  • 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

    Dinner Keynote

    Orange Ballroom
    (Melissa Eccles)

    6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

    Networking Opportunity

    8:00 pm

    Event Ends

Supporter Circles

  • Sy & Debra Israel

    Jim & Alexis Pugh

    Dick & Dottie Appelbaum

    Jim & Val Shapiro

    The Abe & Tess Wise Philanthropic Fund

    Mark & Caryn Israel

  • AdventHealth

    Marilyn Goldman

    Nemours Children’s Health 

    Austin Commercial

    OUC- The Reliable One

    Dick & Louise Weiner

    David & Judith Albertson

    Lowndes 

    Orlando Health

    Bob & Judy Yarmuth

    Jan & Randy Ellington

    Bruce K. Gould Foundation

    Ginsburg Family Foundation

    Losey PLLC/Karen Middlekauff and Daniel Minkow

    Henrietta Katzen

  • Winston & Charlotte Schwartz

    Jeffrey B. Friedman 

    Bounds Law Group

    Massey Services

    Universal Orlando

    Wolfe-Rizor Interiors

    GrayRobinson

    ZKS Law

    Burr & Forman, LLP

    Rick Schell & Scott Joseph

    Meitin Family Partnership

    Feinberg/Morgan Stanley

    Publix Super Markets Charities

    Rizwan Zaman

    Marilyn Shapiro

    Weinberg Wheeler Hudgins Gunn & Dial

    Jerry & Susan Roth

    Florida Blue

    Jeff Miller

    Harvey Kobrin & Faye David

    Shyla Reich

    Scott and Lauren Zimmerman 

  • Climate First Bank

    Mark & Laura Abramson

    Mike & Hali Poteshman

    John & Katie Lehr

    American Momentum Bank

    Susie & Ed Kleiman

    South State Bank

    Greenberg Traurig

    Dr. Kerry Schwartz & Sheryl Kashuk

    Loro Piana Inc

    Rev. Dr. Joel & Becky Hunter 

    Roy & Patricia Ambinder

    Brasfield & Gorrie

    UCF College of Arts and Humanities

    Hunton Brady Architects

    Sol Schick

    Jonathan and Nancy Wolf

    BakerHostetler

    Roger & Leigh Kennedy

    Valencia College

    Orlando Magic

    Chris McCullion & Carlos Carbonell

    Ellen & Mark Lang

    Simon & Ellen Snyder

    Kubicki Draper

    One Florida Bank

    Barbara Weinreich

    Elevation Financial Group

    Zelig O. & Bobbi Wise Philanthropic Fund

    Bergeron Exteriors, LLC

Tess Wise White Rose Honorees

2024 | Jonathan and Nancy Wolf

2023 | Tony Jenkins, Central FL Market President, Florida Blue 

2022 Dr. Rita Bornstein 

2021 The Massey Family

2020 Mayor Jerry L. Demings
2019 Joanie Holzer Schirm
2018 Jeffrey Miller & Ted Maines
2017 Mayor Buddy Dyer
2016 Valeria & Jim Shapiro
2015 Susan & Gordon Arkin
2014 Harris Rosen
2013 Helen Greenspun
2012 Dr. Richard Lapchick
2011 Dr. Ron Blocker
2010 Governor Bob Graham
2009 Rita and John Lowndes

2008 Alexis and Jim Pugh
2007 Harriett and Hy Lake2006 Tess and Abe Wise
2005 Marilyn & Sig Goldman
2004 Suntrust Bank, Central Florida
2003 Judy Albertson
2002 Joe R. Lee, CEO, Darden Restaurants
2001 Elie Wiesel, Nobel Laureate
2000 20 yr. Anniversary Celebration – Dreamers
1999 Holland & Knight Charitable Foundation
1998 Survivors
1997 Henri Landwirth/Give Kids The World
1996 Tom Werner, President, Florida Hospital
1995 University of Central Florida
1994 Junior League of Greater Orlando
1993 Linda Chapin, Chairman, Orange County Commission
1992 Scholars
1991 Dr. Schott, Superintendent, Orange County Public Schools
1990 Dr. Gianini, President, Valencia Community College
1989 Charlie Reese, Orlando Sentinel

Support the White Rose Event Gala

The White Rose Tribute Event, organized annually by the Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education Center of Florida, marks its 37th year celebrating visionary leaders who exemplify inclusivity in Central Florida. Named after the center’s founder, the Tess Wise White Rose Award honors the legacy of the White Rose, a non-violent resistance group against Nazi tyranny during World War II, by recognizing community members who actively promote a more inclusive and respectful society. The event not only commemorates individuals and organizations for their contributions towards education, arts, culture, and community service but also supports the Holocaust Center’s educational initiatives, aiming to inspire students across all ages with unique cultural learning opportunities.