At its gala Monday at the Rainbow Room, the Brooklyn Philharmonic raised more than $550,000, some of which will help renovate its first permanent home, a former firehouse in Cobble Hill. It also toasted founders Stanley Kriegel and his late wife, Charlotte, who passed away in December. Together, they were champions of the Philharmonic starting 54 years ago (Mr. Kriegel is still a board member).

All New Yorkers should aspire to their example. Children of immigrants, they forged a communal life focused on supporting their synagogue (where they married 72 years ago) and building Brooklyn's cultural institutions.

"In the years when people were fleeing, Stanley stood firm in his conviction we could build a cultural center here," the president of Brooklyn, Marty Markowitz, said, adding that Charlotte "brought energy and dignity to Brooklyn. She always had a ready smile that just warmed your night."

Mr. Kriegel said that he was "proud of the Philharmonic, proud of everything" but that the honor was really a testament to the memory of his wife.

"She was the greatest audience, she loved it all," Jay Kriegel said of his mother.

agordon@nysun.com