Tag Archives: Jewish Interest

80th Anniversary of Auschwitz Liberation Marked by the Release of ‘Kalman & Leopold – Surviving Mengele’s Auschwitz,’ told in their own words

VANCOUVER, B.C., Canada, Jan. 20, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — On January 27, 2025, the world will commemorate the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. On this historic day, author Richard K. Lowy launches ”Kalman and Leopold – Surviving Mengele’s Auschwitz” (ISBN: 978-1779410092), a powerful firsthand account of resilience and survival in the face of unimaginable evil, released by Tellwell Publishing.

Image caption: ”Kalman and Leopold – Surviving Mengele’s Auschwitz” by Richard K. Lowy.

This extraordinary book tells the true story of two young boys—Leopold, the author’s father, and his friend Kalman—both twins from separate families, who were brought together in Auschwitz and became victims of Dr. Josef Mengele’s brutal experiments. Separated from their twin sisters, the boys endured harrowing conditions in “Mengele’s Zoo” and witnessed the inner workings of the camp’s hospital barracks and SS guard shack. Their bond and courage helped them survive the horrors that claimed millions.

For six and a half months, Leopold became Kalman’s protector, guiding him through the horrors of the guard shack with his sharp wit and unwavering courage. When the Russian Army liberated Auschwitz in January 1945, the boys were separated and presumed each other dead. For 56 years, Kalman searched for “his Lipa,” the boy who protected him.

Why This Story Matters

Eighty years after the liberation of Auschwitz, Holocaust survivors’ voices are fading. Kalman and Leopold preserves an unparalleled perspective, offering firsthand insights into Mengele’s experiments and the unique experiences of twin children imprisoned in Auschwitz. The book highlights not just the atrocities but also the extraordinary resilience of the human spirit.

A Timely Call to Action

As antisemitism and Holocaust denial rise globally, Kalman and Leopold serves as both a warning and a call to preserve history. This anniversary is not just a remembrance—it is a demand to confront hatred, uphold the truth, and educate future generations.

Events Honoring the Release

On January 27, commemorative events and discussions will take place worldwide to honor this milestone. The release of Kalman and Leopold will be central to these efforts, offering a deeply personal narrative that connects history to the ongoing fight against prejudice and oppression.

Praise for “Kalman & Leopold”

“Lowy’s narrative technique immerses readers in the lived experiences of his subjects, making their pain, resilience, and humanity palpable in ways that transcend traditional historical documentation.” – K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite

About the Author:

Richard K. Lowy, the son of Leopold, is an internationally acclaimed producer and creative director whose work has spanned collaborations with legendary artists and world leaders. His passion for preserving his father’s history led him to create Leo’s Journey: The Story of the Mengele Twins, a documentary narrated by EGOT-winning actor Christopher Plummer. (leosjourney.com) Lowy’s dedication to honoring the voices of Holocaust survivors culminates in this deeply personal and historically significant book.

Availability – Book Launch – January 27, 2025

“Kalman & Leopold – Surviving Mengele’s Auschwitz” launches January 27, 2025, on the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Available through Amazon and all major online retailers.

Let the 80th anniversary of Auschwitz’s liberation inspire us to remember, reflect, and act—because the lessons of the Holocaust are more urgent now than ever.

BOOK SUMMARY:

Author: Richard K. Lowy

Email: authorpress@tellwell.ca

Website: https://kalmanandleopold.com/

Genre: History/Biography

Released: January 2025

PAPERBACK: ISBN-13: 9781779410092

Publisher: Tellwell ( https://tellwell.ca/ )

Follow the author on social at:

https://www.instagram.com/kalmanandleopold/

https://x.com/kalmanandleo

https://www.tiktok.com/@kalmanandleopold

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572175560587

NEWS SOURCE: Tellwell Publishing

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Tellwell Publishing), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/80th-anniversary-of-auschwitz-liberation-marked-by-the-release-of-kalman-leopold-surviving-mengeles-auschwitz-told-in-their-own-words/

Jerry Elman to Release Book ‘Miracles Through Hell’ – A True Story of Holocaust Survival and Intergenerational Healing

HONEOYE, N.Y. /ScoopCloud/ -- Very little has been written about the children of Holocaust survivors and the psychological impact passed on to them through the silence of their parents, says author Jerry Elman in his new book "Miracles Through Hell" (ISBN: 978-0578348711; Waterview Books).

Elman also questions if America of today compares to Germany in the 1930s. Holocaust denial is a trend; fascism is on the rise, books are being banned, voting rights are being suppressed, women's rights are under attack, racism and antisemitism are on the rise, and freedom of the press is under attack. American institutions are being attacked and delegitimized. White supremacy is on the rise, and evangelicals are pushing hard to make America a "Christian Nation." Will American democracy survive?

"'Miracles Through Hell' is a deeply moving account of bravery, luck, and redemption, uncovering the details of my parents' lives before the Nazis took control of Poland, leading through the miracles and hell my parents experienced as the war raged on, and finally, reveals the trauma of second-generation survivors," says Elman.

Through the telling of his family history, Elman's own story and concerns about America's future are told.

The release of the book is planned for March 2022 on Amazon.

Book Review:

"To be honest, I have never had such an emotional reaction to reading about the Holocaust and the experience of the Jews in Europe during this time. I had to go slowly because I found myself reacting very strongly to some of the details you have included. For example, I thought about the vulnerability of Jewish women specifically and was placed back in time, feeling nauseous at the thought of my brother escaping while I stayed behind. I thought about all the untold stories of pain, bravery, and guilt. I had to stop working, close my computer, and talk to my husband about the emotions I was feeling. I am confident your book will have a huge impact on those who read it." -- Yasmin Gruss, Professor/lecturer, Brooklyn College, CUNY Professional Book Editor.

About Jerry Elman

Jerry Elman was born in 1954 in Syracuse, NY. He has lived in the Rochester, NY area for almost fifty years. Both his parents were Holocaust survivors. He is a first-generation American. Children of Holocaust survivors have been referred to as second-generation survivors. The emotional impact on the parents carried over to their children. The Holocaust was never discussed. Like other second-generation survivors, Jerry lived most of his life not knowing his parents' stories or his European roots and family. He did not understand his emotional issues as he grew up.

His father passed away in 1989, his mother in 2004. Jerry retired in 2021. The desire to know his parent's story kept nagging at him.

In 2021, at age sixty-seven, he began searching files and documents his parents left behind. He started his research effort. Every piece of information led to other information. He connected with resources at the US Holocaust Museum, Yad Vashem in Israel, YIVO, JewishGen, the University of Southern California (USC) Shoah Project and others.

Jerry successfully found all the information that became the basis for this book. This is his first book as an author. It is a work of love and closure to questions never answered most of his life. Writing this book was a cathartic experience for Jerry.

Learn more: https://www.jerry-elman.com/

Very little has been written about the children of Holocaust survivors and the psychological impact passed on to them through the silence of their parents, says author Jerry Elman in his new book "Miracles Through Hell" (ISBN: 978-0578348711; Waterview Books).

Related link: https://www.jerry-elman.com/

On Holocaust Remembrance Day Let Us Honor Those Who Risked Their Lives to Save Others

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Each year, the United Nations sets aside January 27 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. This day marks the liberation in 1945 of the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camps where between 1.1 and 1.5 million people died, most of them Jews. But while we remember those who perished in the Holocaust, let us also honor those who put their own lives on the line to rescue thousands destined for that fate.

Scientology Network's "Documentary Showcase" features two films that pay tribute to unsung heroes who saved thousands from dying in Nazi death camps.

:: "Nicky's Family"

Now dubbed "Britain's Schindler," Sir Nicholas "Nicky" Winton saw children facing certain death at the hands of the Nazi regime on the eve of World War II in 1939. Winton bravely stood up against the Germans to save the lives of more than 600 children who were destined for concentration camps.

He not only brought them out of Czechoslovakia, he also had them conducted across Hitler's Germany and secured their safety in Great Britain. Winton kept his heroic exploits secret from everyone: historians, journalists-even his wife-for nearly 50 years. His story finally came to light when the BBC televised a show surprising Winton by reuniting him with 100 adults-all of whom were among the children he had rescued 50 years earlier.

Emmy Award-winning director Matej Mináč of Slovakia included dramatic reenactments and never-before-seen archival footage, as well as emotional interviews with those rescued. Mináč has received multiple awards for "Nicky's Family," including Best Documentary from the Montreal World Film Festival.

:: "The Rescuers"

A young Rwandan antigenocide activist and a renowned Holocaust historian teamed up to travel across 15 countries and three continents, interviewing survivors and descendants of 13 diplomats who helped rescue tens of thousands of Jewish people from Nazi death camps during World War II.

Award-winning filmmaker Michael W. King documented their travels and discussions, bringing to the world this story of heroism and delivering a testament to the ways in which human beings can rise above forces of evil, even in the face of dire consequences.

King has been making films for more than two decades, winning an Emmy for a PBS documentary on youth violence in 1999. He has served as a member of the board of the International Documentary Association and is an active member of the Directors Guild of America.

"The Rescuers" has won 30 film festival awards, including multiple Best Documentary and Best Historical Documentary awards. The film was further honored as Best of the Best at the Palm Beach International Film Festival and was an Official Selection at the NAACP Image Awards. The film was also screened at a United Nations Conference and, at the request of the U.S. State Department, King has helped promote the film abroad.

Fundamental to Scientology is a humanitarian mission that extends to some 200 nations with programs for human rights, human decency, literacy, morality, drug prevention and disaster relief. For this reason, Scientology Network's "Documentary Showcase" debuts films from award-winning independent filmmakers whose goal is to improve society by raising awareness of social, cultural and environmental issues.

Since launching with a special episode featuring Scientology ecclesiastical leader Mr. David Miscavige, Scientology Network has been viewed in 240 countries and territories worldwide in 17 languages. Broadcast from Scientology Media Productions, the Church's global media center in Los Angeles, the Scientology Network is available on DIRECTV Channel 320 and can be streamed on Scientology.tv, mobile apps and via the Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV platforms.

Each year, the United Nations sets aside January 27 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. This day marks the liberation in 1945 of the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camps where between 1.1 and 1.5 million people died, most of them Jews. But while we remember those who perished in the Holocaust, let us also honor those who put their own lives on the line to rescue thousands destined for that fate.

Related link: https://www.scientology.org/

Scientology Network: Two Films in Honor of International Holocaust Remembrance Day

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Scientology Network's Documentary Showcase marks International Holocaust Remembrance Day by airing "Big Sonia" and "Gottfried Helnwein and the Dreaming Child."

The UN set aside January 27, the anniversary of the 1945 liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, as International Holocaust Remembrance Day, to honor the memory of victims of the Holocaust and reaffirm commitment to counter antisemitism, racism, and other forms of intolerance that may lead to group-targeted violence.

"Big Sonia" tells the incredible life story of Sonia Warshawski, who was 17 in 1942 when the Germans forced her and her family into the ghetto.

Surviving Auschwitz-Birkenau and Bergen-Belsen, her journey from detention in Nazi death camps to her life as a great-grandmother and businesswoman in Kansas City has become a surprising source of inspiration for a new generation.

The film is codirected by Sonia's granddaughter Leah Warshawski and Todd Soliday.

"Gottfried Helnwein and the Dreaming Child" captures the creative process of two titans of art, where breathtaking visuals that evoke the Holocaust complement profound storytelling. It results in an awe-inspiring stage production.

For celebrated Austrian artist Gottfried Helnwein, the child is a symbol of innocence - a symbol Helnwiein uses to communicate a powerful and compelling message of innocence lost. For Israel's most celebrated playwright Hanoch Levin, innocence is portrayed in the measured breaths of a sleeping child moments before waking up to a nightmare.

Produced and directed by Lisa Kirk Colburn, "Gottfried Helnwein and the Dreaming Child" captures the drama leading up to the world premiere of the controversial Israeli opera "The Child Dreams."

Documentary Showcase debuts films from award-winning independent filmmakers whose goal is to improve society by raising awareness of social, cultural and environmental issues.

Scientology Network: Since launching with a special episode featuring Scientology ecclesiastical leader Mr. David Miscavige, Scientology Network has been viewed in 240 countries and territories worldwide in 17 languages. Broadcast from Scientology Media Productions, the Church's global media center in Los Angeles, the Scientology Network is available on DIRECTV Channel 320 and can be streamed at Scientology.tv, on mobile apps and via the Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV platforms.

For more information on the Scientology Network, watch Inside Scientology: Scientology Media Productions. For more information on Documentary Showcase, visit https://www.scientology.tv/series/documentary-showcase/.

LEARN MORE:

https://www.scientology.tv/series/documentary-showcase/big-sonia/

https://www.scientology.tv/series/documentary-showcase/gottfried-helnwein/

Scientology Network's Documentary Showcase marks International Holocaust Remembrance Day by airing "Big Sonia" and "Gottfried Helnwein and the Dreaming Child." The UN set aside January 27, the anniversary of the 1945 liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, as International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Related link: https://www.scientology.org/

Why would a Russian-Jewish couple, living near Boston, return to the Soviet Union in 1931?

NEW YORK, N.Y. /ScoopCloud/ -- "Forget Russia" (ISBN: 978-1732848047) by L. Bordetsky-William, scheduled for publication on December 1, 2020 by Tailwinds Press, tells the story of three generations of Russian-American Jews journeying back and forth, throughout the twentieth century, between America and Russia, searching for some kind of home and, of course, finding something altogether different.

It is a tale of love, murder, revolution, and betrayal. In 1980, Anna, an American college student journeys to the Soviet Union to confront her family's past. As Anna dodges date rapists, KGB agents, and smooth-talking marketeers while navigating an alien culture for the first time, she must come to terms with the aspects of the past that haunt her own life.

With its insight into the everyday rhythms of an almost forgotten way of life behind Brezhnev's Soviet Union, "Forget Russia" is a disquieting multi-generational epic about coming of age, forgotten history, and the loss of innocence in all of its forms.

Advance Praise for "Forget Russia"

"One by one, Anna will lift the tops from the Russian dolls starting from the original tragedy-the murder of her great-grandmother Zlata during a pogrom-to shed light on the destiny of three generations of women ... In this dazzling choral novel, woven together over almost eighty years, the great grand-daughter triumphs in the challenge to reunite her family forever, calming their hearts beyond the centuries," said Maia Brami, author of "All Yours."

About the Author:

L. BORDETSKY-WILLIAMS is also the author of "The Artist as Outsider in the Novels of Toni Morrison and Virginia Woolf" (Greenwood Press, 2000); the memoir, "Letters to Virginia Woolf" (Hamilton Books, 2005); and three poetry chapbooks - "The Eighth Phrase" (Porkbelly Press 2014), "Sky Studies" (Finishing Line Press 2014), and "In the Early Morning Calling" (Finishing Line Press, 2018). She is a Professor of Literature at Ramapo College of New Jersey and lives in New York City.

To obtain an advance copy of "Forget Russia" for a book review or to arrange an author interview, use the following contact information:
Author: L. Bordetsky-Williams
Phone: 917-701-4880
email: forgetrussia@gmail.com

Website: https://www.forgetrussia.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgetRussia
Twitter: @BordetskyL

Book Trailer (YouTube): https://youtu.be/eDICgOz-Kqo

Tailwinds Press: http://www.tailwindspress.com/forget-russia.html

IMAGE LINKS FOR MEDIA:
[1] https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/20-0921s2p-forget-russia-300dpi.jpg
Caption, cover, "Forget Russia."

[2] https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/20-0921s2p-lb-williams-300dpi.jpg
Caption: Photo of the Author - L. Bordetsky-Williams.

"Forget Russia" (ISBN: 978-1732848047) by L. Bordetsky-William, scheduled for publication on December 1, 2020 by Tailwinds Press, tells the story of three generations of Russian-American Jews journeying back and forth, throughout the twentieth century, between America and Russia, searching for some kind of home and, of course, finding something altogether different.

Related link: https://www.forgetrussia.com/

Fort Collins Mayor Wayne Troxell declares September 16, 2020 Holocaust Survivor ‘Joe Rubinstein Day’

FORT COLLINS, Colo. /ScoopCloud/ -- Author Nancy Sprowell Geise announces that on Sunday, September 14, 2020, Mayor Troxell presented Holocaust survivor with the honor in recognition of Joe's 100th birthday. Joe said, "I am so honored and grateful that I'm still alive to celebrate 100 years. I can't believe it. I love life and I love people."

Shortly before dawn on a frigid morning in Radom, Poland, German soldiers forced twenty-one-year-old Icek "Joe" Rubinsztejn onto a crowded, open-air truck. The next day, several around him were dead. From there, things got worse for young Joe-much worse.

Joe arrived at Auschwitz/Birkenau on April 30, 1942, and was imprisoned there for over two years before being taken to several other notorious camps, including Buchenwald, Ohrdruf, and Theresienstadt. Throughout his ordeal, surprising and remarkable events occurred to save his life.

Barefooted when he was seized, Joe would become one of New York's leading shoe designers for legendary companies Herbert Levine, Inc., Nina Shoe, and others. Beth Levine called Joe, "The Man with the Golden Hands." Joe designed some of the most expensive and sought-after shoes in the world. Shoes designed by Herbert Levine, Inc. were worn by first ladies and movie stars alike. While the Nazis took everything else, they were unable to take Joe's love of life and his love of people.

Joe, who is Jewish, met Irene, who is Catholic, in Germany after the war. They married in 1947 and later this month will celebrate 73 of marriage. They lived in New York for over 30 years before moving to California, and then to Colorado in 2007.

When Joe was taken from his family, he had no idea he would never again see anyone he knew or loved. His widowed mother and four siblings, including Joe's identical twin, were believed murdered at the Treblinka death camp along with over 33,000 others from the Radom Ghettos.

Despite having lost nearly everything a person can lose, Joe found a way to live a joy-filled life. He says, "No matter what, we have to love each other."

For over 60 years, Joe never told anyone his story because he did not believe anything good could come from doing so.

Now, nearly every week Joe receives letters from people all over the world who have read about him in the book, "Auschwitz #34207 - The Joe Rubinstein Story" (ISBN: 978-1939919120) by author Nancy Sprowell Geise.

Learn more at the book at and author: http://www.nancygeise.com/

Purchase book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VRZ40B2

People tell Joe that if he found a way to live joyfully after all the loss and trauma he experienced, then they know they can face their challenges. Joe's life is an inspiration for us all and an example of how to thrive, despite the most difficult of situations.

*PHOTO link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/20-0915s2p-troxwell-and-rubinstein-300dpi.jpg
*Caption: Fort Collins Mayor Wade Troxell (left) and 100-year-old Holocaust survivor Joe Rubinstein

Author Nancy Sprowell Geise announces that on Sunday, September 14, 2020, Mayor Troxell presented Holocaust survivor with the honor in recognition of Joe's 100th birthday. Joe said, "I am so honored and grateful that I'm still alive to celebrate 100 years. I can't believe it. I love life and I love people."

Related link: http://www.nancygeise.com/

Our Lady of Palestine Startup to Support Holy Land Artisans and The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. /ScoopCloud/ -- Our Lady of Palestine, a not for profit webstore, signs an exclusive international distribution agreement with Blest Art, Inc., a religious goods company of Beloit, Wisconsin, to sell handicraft products from the Holy Land originating from the Palestinian Territory and Israel.

The agreement applies to all international territories through ecommerce channels. Randy Pagnotta, CEO, PENDX, Inc. established Our Lady of Palestine as a not for profit enterprise with its mission being to support both the Catholic and Christian artisans in the Holy Land (Bethlehem) and the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem through the proceeds received from the sale of Christian handicrafts.

Mr. Pagnotta who is also a Knight in the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem is very excited to partner with Blest Art's Jeryes Qumseya, owner and his son Awad Qumseya, Director. Awad a native of Beit Sahour near Bethlehem, brings nearly two decades of experience in working with artisans from the Holy Land Handicraft Cooperative Society that produce and sell through his company.

"We vetted several companies before selecting a partner. At the end of the process we felt Blest Art had the best overall experience in the market, with the culture and with the artisans. These were heavily weighted criteria in our selection process as they go directly to the core of our ability to achieve the mission established for Our Lady of Palestine," says Randy Pagnotta, CEO PENDX, Inc.

There is no dearth of companies providing religious handicrafts purporting to be from the Holy Land. However, where the products originate from and who makes them, man or machine, is not so easy to determine at the point of purchase. Our Lady of Palestine saw a need to authenticate to the consumer that the products being purchased from the website are actually being made in the Holy Land by Holy Land Artisans and not somewhere else. In partnering with Blest Art Our Lady of Palestine can provide that authentication freeing up resources to focus on going to market.

The purchase of authenticated products from Our Lady of Palestine provides a threefold blessing for; the consumer, the local artisans and the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem (LPJ). The LPJ plays an invaluable role in the developmental needs of the Catholic and Christian community at large. With the added stress the region has been under since the COVID-19 pandemic our mission takes on a heighten sense of urgency.

"It is refreshing to see that members of the Order of the Holy Sepulcher are volunteering their time to support local artisans from the Holy Land market their products at a time when the tourism sector in the region came to a complete standstill resulting in massive loss of jobs. We pray for the success of the launch of this project designed to support the local Christian communities," said Sami El-Yousef, Chief Executive Officer, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem.

Our Lady of Palestine will launch on Monday September 14, 2020, The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.

Go to https://our-lady-of-palestine.myshopify.com/

MEDIA ONLY CONTACT
Paula Sarday, DC*HS
Our Lady of Palestine
+1-610-564-0921 (media only)
mediarela@ourladyofpalestine.com

Our Lady of Palestine, a not for profit webstore, signs an exclusive international distribution agreement with Blest Art, Inc., a religious goods company of Beloit, Wisconsin, to sell handicraft products from the Holy Land originating from the Palestinian Territory and Israel.

Lifting People with Disabilities Out of Poverty: JLA Pooled Trust Hits $5 million in Beneficiary Assets

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- In recognition of the highly impactful, life-changing work provided to people with disabilities in the region, the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles (The Foundation) has awarded Jewish Los Angeles Special Needs Trust & Services (JLA Trust) with a three-year, $250,000 Next Stage Grant.

"We're very proud that our Next Stage Grant will enable the long-term sustainability of JLA Trust and help it serve more individuals with disabilities and their families," said Marvin I. Schotland, president and CEO of The Foundation. "The Foundation provided seed-funding to JLA Trust in 2015 because we believe in its mission. JLA Trust provides guidance and resources to families as they navigate the daunting process of planning for the financial security of their loved ones with disabilities and secure the support they need to thrive. This much-needed service strengthens Jewish families across Los Angeles and our community as a whole."

The pooled trusts administered by JLA Trust help children and adults with a range of physical, mental, developmental and intellectual disabilities obtain a higher quality of life through affordable and professionally managed special needs trusts, which are a legal way to supplement means-tested government benefits. In less than 4 years of operations, JLA Trust recently crossed the $5 million mark in total beneficiary assets, and has already distributed $1.5 million for clients' expenses.

Background

In order to receive essential government benefits such as SSI, Medi-Cal and In-Home Supported Services (IHSS), single persons with disabilities are limited to only $2,000 in assets at any one time. To legally supplement those benefits with their own funds, or with money from family members, the only choices are the new CalABLE accounts (limited to $15,000 in a calendar year) and special needs trusts, which are traditionally very expensive to create and manage.

For those with less assets, an excellent solution is a Pooled Special Needs Trust, created by Congress in 1993. Using a Master trust document written by an expert attorney, JLA Trust acts as an "umbrella" over individual trust accounts, which are carefully managed in order to support persons with disabilities for as long as possible. Each client has a sub-account, and funds are only pooled for investment and cash management purposes.

All accounts receive professional trustee oversight and wealth management, along with a restricted-use VISA card from True Link Financial Services that is customized to meet the complicated rules of government benefit programs as well as the unique needs of each beneficiary.

Under the leadership of founding board Chair Sandor Samuels, a former CEO of Bet Tzedek Legal Services, JLA Trust enrolled its first client in August 2016, and has grown to 85 enrolled clients, with combined assets of more than $5 million. "Our community-based, personalized services are a game-changer for persons with disabilities in Los Angeles County and the region. We are thankful to the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles for awarding us with a Next Stage Grant, which gives us the ability to hire a dedicated marketing and outreach professional who can help JLA Trust expand our services to help more people with disabilities."

Seed funding for the new nonprofit was provided by a 2015 three-year Cutting Edge Grant from The Foundation, along with planning and program grants from the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles. Funding has also been provided by the Diane P. and Guilford Glazer Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles.

JLA Trust & Services has strong roots in the Jewish community and is open to all persons of all faiths, types of disabilities, and gender/sexual identification. For more information, go to https://www.jlatrust.org/.

About the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles

Established in 1954, the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles manages charitable assets of more than $1 billion entrusted to it by over 1,300 families. The Foundation partners with donors to shape meaningful philanthropic strategies, magnify the impact of giving, and build enduring charitable legacies. Over the past 15 years, it has distributed more than $1 billion to thousands of nonprofits across a diverse spectrum. http://www.jewishfoundationla.org/.

Client Stories:

Adam, 26 - A stroke left him with lifelong physical and intellectual disabilities. His family set up a Go Fund Me campaign to cover out of pocket medical costs and raised over $20,000. If the funds stayed in Adam's checking account, he would lose his vital Medi-Cal housing. His trust preserves his Medi-Cal benefits, plus the family uses trust funds for an aide and trips outside of the residential facility. "I am so grateful you exist," said his mother.

Janet, 48 - She has a genetic medical condition that causes great pain and seizures. Her father set up a 3rd party special needs trust for her with JLA Trust, and after his recent death, money from his life insurance policies are going directly into the trust, without jeopardizing her Medi-Cal. She said, "I am so grateful my Dad found JLA Trust and took care of everything ahead of time."

In recognition of the highly impactful, life-changing work provided to people with disabilities in the region, the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles (The Foundation) has awarded Jewish Los Angeles Special Needs Trust & Services (JLA Trust) with a three-year, $250,000 Next Stage Grant.

Related link: https://www.jlatrust.org/