The JFR mourns the loss of Holocaust survivor Mira Wexler Gutfilen on August 11, 2021, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. During the Holocaust, Mira and her mother were saved by the Weglowski family. In 2014, the JFR reunited Mira with Helena Weglowska and produced a documentary, “The House of Two Families,” about their story. Mira and Helena had not seen each other since 1945.  Mira was a very special lady and will be missed by many.  Click here to view the documentary.  May Mira’s memory be a blessing.

Applications for the 2022 Advanced Seminar, which is January 15 – 17 2022, will be emailed later in September. The program is scheduled to be held at the Hilton Newark Airport. We should have our presenters confirmed shortly.  Since we do not know what January 2022 will bring with respect to COVID, we are making the following changes to the Advanced Seminar.

1. The Jewish Foundation for the Righteous (JFR) will adhere to and follow the guidelines of the State of New Jersey and the CDC in regard to social distancing and good public health measures.
2. We will give each participant their own room and the JFR will cover the single supplement for each participant.
3. If required, we will have social distancing. As of now, we plan on accepting 21 participants into the program.  This number does not include three JFR staff and board members.  If required, we will use two sections of the Grand Ballroom at the Hilton Newark Airport enabling everyone to be spaced out.
4. If required, we will ask all participants to wear masks.
5. We are working with the Hilton Newark Airport staff to see how we are going to handle meals if there is another COVID surge.
6. We urge participants not to make plane reservations until December 2021. If you need to make plane reservations earlier, either purchase trip insurance that covers cancellation due to COVID or confirm with the airline that you will be able to change your reservation due to COVID.
7. We may require that all participants provide proof of vaccination. This is currently under review.

If you are interested in attending, please let Stanlee know at [email protected]. Remember, letting Stanlee know you are interested does not reserve your spot in the program.

The 2022 European Study Program will be to Germany and Poland.  Professor Robert Jan van Pelt will be our scholar.  If you are interested in participating in the 2022 European Study Program please let Stanlee know.  If you were planning on participating in the 2020 European Study Program, please reach out to Stanlee to let her know if you are still interested in participating.

The dates of the European Study Program are Saturday, July 2 through Sunday, July 17, 2022.  We have added two days to the program.  Participants will leave the US on Saturday, July 2 arriving in Munich on Sunday, 3 July, where we will meet Professor van Pelt.  This specific study program to Germany and Poland will be the last one that Professor van Pelt and Stanlee will be offering.  There will be other study programs, just not two weeks to Germany and Poland.

We continue to receive emails and notes from the rescuers. Click here to see photos of the rescuers and their notes.

Stay connected with the JFR through our Facebook page at The Jewish Foundation for the Righteous, follow us on Twitter @JFRDirector, and visit us on Instagram @ jfr_photos.