We are looking forward to welcoming 23 Alfred Lerner Fellows to the 2022 Advanced Seminar to be held January 15 and 16, 2022.  Last week we made the decision to switch the program to Zoom.  We are disappointed that we are not going to be able to see everyone in person.  Since the program is going to be virtual, we modified the format.  The Advanced Seminar is now two days, Saturday and Sunday, with each scholar giving two lectures.  The scholars presenting are:  Professor Lawrence Douglas, Professor Avinoam Patt, Professor Edward Westermann, and Dr. Robert Williams.

We are going to start planning the 2023 program shortly.  If you would like to have a specific topic or area addressed or to hear from a particular scholar, please let Stanlee know at [email protected].

We hope to offer the JFR 2022 European Study Program to Germany and Poland this July.  The itinerary and travel arrangements are being firmed up.  This will probably be our last study program as it is currently structured.  While the dates are not set, we anticipate leaving the U.S. July 2 and returning on July 17, 2022.

The Study Program starts in Munich and ends in Auschwitz where we will spend five nights.  Professor Robert Jan van Pelt is our scholar for the program. It is possible for teachers attending the 2022 Summer Institute for Teachers to participate in the European Study Program.  Please let Stanlee know, [email protected], if you are interested in participating in the 2022 European Study Program.

The JFR Board of Trustees at its last meeting voted to increase monthly award levels for JFR-supported rescuers. Each rescuer will receive an additional $50 each month, bringing their monthly awards to $250. We estimate that we will expend almost $1 million in direct support of Righteous Gentiles during 2022. As the rescuers age, their needs become more acute. The JFR is working hard to meet these needs. Click here for more information about the JFR’s Rescuer Support Program.

As we welcome a new year, we thought it appropriate to take some time to provide information on how our rescuer support program works.  Many of our donors have asked when and how we send our funds to rescuers.

Sending Rescuer Awards

• Rescuers living outside the United States receive their awards every four months – March, July, and December.
• Rescuers living in the United States receive their awards quarterly – January, April, July, and October.

How are Funds Sent

• Rescuers living in the United States receive a bank check.
• Rescuers living in Poland receive a wire transfer directly into their bank account.
• Rescuers living in all other countries receive their funds via Western Union.

How do we know rescuers are alive?

• Annually, every rescuer must provide a notarized document stating that they are alive.
• Annually, every rescuer must provide a copy of their pension statement for May or June.
• Rescuers living in Poland, the country with the largest number of supported rescuers, must provide a copy of their pension statement for January.

If you would like more information on the rescuer support program, please email us at [email protected]

If you change names, home address, place of employment, telephone numbers, emails – please do let us know so we can keep your record current.

As we start a new year, I wish everyone only good things!