Holocaust Museum LA will present the Award of Courage to philanthropist, entrepreneur, and supermodel Cindy Crawford, alongside Ella Mandel, a 99-year-old Holocaust survivor, at its annual gala on Tuesday, October 28, 6 p.m. at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel.

Honoring Advocacy and Testimony

Earlier this year, Crawford and Mandel partnered on Borrowed Spotlight, a widely recognized awareness campaign that highlighted the strength of intergenerational advocacy. Crawford has used her global platform to raise awareness about antisemitism, while Mandel continues to share her moving testimony and messages of hope with students and the public.

Crawford described meeting Ella — the sole surviving member of her family from the Holocaust — as “profoundly inspiring.” The two forged an instant connection as mothers committed to life, resilience, and making the world a better place.

Building on a Legacy of Courage

Cindy Crawford and Ella Mandel join a growing legacy of honorees. In 2023, Arnold Schwarzenegger received the inaugural Award of Courage from the Holocaust Museum LA.

The museum shares Cindy’s and Ella’s commitment to building a better future and ensuring survivor stories continue to be told. Its expanded campus, currently under construction and scheduled to open in June 2026, will double its footprint and increase annual visitor capacity to 500,000, including 150,000 students. Permanent exhibits will incorporate state-of-the-art technology to preserve the testimonies of Holocaust survivors for future generations.

Gala Details

Event: Holocaust Museum LA Annual Gala

Date/Time: Tuesday, October 28, 6 p.m.

Location: Beverly Wilshire Hotel, Beverly Hills, CA

Host: KTLA reporter Eric Spillman

More Info: holocaustmuseumla.org/gala