Alan Lazowski, the chairman and CEO of LAZ Parking and the son of Holocaust survivors, was recognized for his dedication to the museum at the ‘What You Do Matters’ Tribute Dinner in New York.

From left: Chairman US Holocaust Memorial Council Tom Bernstein, Marcia Lazowski, Museum Director Sara Bloomfield, Katie Couric, Lieutenant-General Romeo Dallaire, and Alan Lazowski. Photo credit: Michael Priest for US Holocaust Memorial Museum

Submitted

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum has honored Alan Lazowski, chairman and CEO of LAZ Parking and member of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council, with its National Leadership Award for his dedication to the museum and its mission against genocide.

The award was presented Nov. 7 at the museum’s annual “What You Do Matters” New York Tribute Dinner, where guest speakers included Katie Couric and Lieutenant-General Romeo Dallaire (Ret), the commander of the 2,600-member international peacekeeping force during the Rwandan genocide. The dinner also featured a special tribute to Museum Founding Chairman Elie Wiesel. West Hartford residents Jessica and Eric Zachs were among the members of the event committee.

More than 500 people attended the dinner which raised $2.6 million to support the Museum’s national campaign, Never Again What You Do Matters, which will ensure that the Museum can make the critical investments to keep Holocaust memory alive as a relevant, transformative force in the 21^st century.

“Alan is an incredible supporter and advocate for the Museum’s mission, and we are proud to recognize him with this honor,” said Andi Barchas, director of the Museum’s Northeast Regional Office. “The commitment of individuals like Alan allows the Museum to continue to confront hatred, antisemitism, and genocide today. Sadly, Lieutenant-General Dallaire’s testimony reminds us that this work remains critical in today’s world as genocide continues to threaten populations 70 years after the Holocaust.”

“Alan Lazowski is a man guided by the Torah-informed principle passed on to him by his parents. He was raised to lead a socially and morally responsible life and recognizes the importance of making genuine connections with people. He brings these values to LAZ Parking, a company that prioritizes the needs of others, from staff to customers to the communities it serves,” said Event Co-Chair David Lerman.

“I am humbled by this recognition from the U.S. Holocaust Museum. As the son of Holocaust survivors, it is an honor to support the museum and to be a part of its valuable cause,” said Lazowski. “The museum is not just a memorial to one of the worst tragedies in history, it exists so that we never forget the atrocities of genocide and work hard to prevent them from happening again.”

Lazowski’s parents survived the Nazi occupation of Poland, and the importance of fighting hate was instilled in him at an early age. Rabbi Philip Lazowski, Alan’s father, who narrowly escaped death in Poland as a young man, wrote about his story in Faith and Destiny. Now well-known in the Greater Hartford Jewish community, Philip Lazowski immigrated to America and became a prominent rabbi in Bloomfield, where Alan grew up. He is currently rabbi emeritus at Emanuel Synagogue in West Hartford and Beth Hillel Synagogue in Bloomfield.

A Hartford native, Lazowski is the chairman and CEO of LAZ Parking, which he co-founded with two friends in 1981. LAZ Parking is the second largest and fastest growing parking company in the United States. Alan currently serves as the chairman of the National Parking Association and is a member of philanthropic organizations in West Hartford and the region as well as nationally.

For the past 25 years, Lazowski has generously supported the Museum’s mission including raising funds for the new state-of-the art David and Fela Shapell Collections and Conservation Center which will open in 2017 and house the collection of record on the Holocaust, ensuring future generations learn this history. In 2014, President Obama appointed Lazowski to the Museum’s Memorial Council, where he serves on the education committee.

Through its national campaign Never Again: What You Do Matters, led by honorary chair Elie Wiesel, the Museum seeks to make critical investments to keep Holocaust memory alive as a relevant, transformative force in the 21st century. The $540 million comprehensive goal includes building a stronger endowment, an increased annual fund, and a new Collections and Conservation Center. Visit www.ushmm.org/campaign to learn more about how you can join us in this urgent effort.

A living memorial to the Holocaust, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum inspires citizens and leaders worldwide to confront hatred, prevent genocide, and promote human dignity. Its far-reaching educational programs and global impact are made possible by generous donors. For more information, visit www.ushmm.org.

LAZ Parking, founded in Hartford, CT in 1981, is the second largest and fastest growing parking company in the United States, operating hundreds of thousands of parking spaces across the country in over 2,500 locations. With over 35 years of experience providing parking management and transportation services, LAZ works seamlessly across a variety of segments including hospitality and valet, office buildings, medical, airport and transportation, campus, government and municipal, retail, events, residential building and shuttle services. Additional information can be found at www.lazparking.com.

Like what you see here? Click here to subscribe to We-Ha’s newsletter so you’ll always be in the know about what’s happening in West Hartford!