Executive VP of Jewish Foundation for the Righteous Tells the Town Council About Its Mission

WEST ORANGE, NJ – Stanlee Stahl, the Executive Vice President of Jewish Foundation for the Righteous (JFR) spoke at the May 21 town council meeting. Mayor Susan McCartney introduced her. “Stanlee showed up in my office and gave me this beautiful book about individuals that risked their own lives to help people during the Holocaust over 80 years ago.”

She continued, “This foundation has been remembering and supporting those Christians and Muslims and every nationality that helped other individuals. I thought that was just a glorious story.” McCartney mentioned that May is National Jewish American Month, so it's the perfect time to hear about the organization.

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Stahl thanked the council for allowing her to speak at the meeting. She began, “In June 2018, I moved the Jewish Foundation for the Righteous (JFR) from Midtown Manhattan to Main Street, West Orange. We have a dual mission. We provide monthly financial support to aging and needy non-Jews, mostly Christians, because during World War II Europe was mostly Christian, and some Muslims who lived in Albania and Yugoslavia -- now Bosnia Herzegovina [also saved Jews].”

Stahl reported that she’s been the director since 1992, and they’ve sent $45 million primarily to Christian heroes, Protestants and Catholics. “I have the best job in the world. I used to do home visits before COVID. Most of the men and women we support live either in the former Soviet Union or communist bloc countries.”

She added that some of the people they send money to are in France, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Italy; but most are in Communist Bloc countries, where citizens receive very small pensions, and they need the funds. “On behalf of the Jewish community, and we receive donations, not just from Jews -- we don't ask who you are or how you pray, but it's repaying a debt of gratitude on behalf of the Jewish community to Christian heroes.”

Stahl mentioned that she goes to church with the donors, they talk about Jesus, the gospel and their belief in Christ. “They will tell me that there comes a time when the law of God is above the law of men, and you don't obey Hitler and the Third Reich.” She added, “I am truly blessed by the men and women that I get to be with.”

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Stahl reported that over the last 32 years, JFR has sent funds to 3,600 people living in 34 countries. They are supporting 83 people, men and mostly women, mostly in Poland, in 10 countries. Stahl also said that JFR can no longer send money to Russia because of US bank sanctions against Russia for invading Ukraine. “It’s hard to explain to a 98 year old man in Moscow why he's no longer getting money because he thinks Ukraine is run by Nazis,” she commented.

JFR sends an annual Christmas gift. Last year, it was $3,500. This year there will be a minimum of $4,000. The monthly pensioners receive $400, which doubles what they get from their government.  Stahl stated, “Our commitment is to fund them to the day they die, and we've kept that commitment for 32 years and continue to do so.”

The second mission is their Holocaust Teacher Education Program, which is nationally recognized. JFR was at Columbia University until COVID. Now they conduct teacher training at the Hilton at the JFK airport. “We work with Holocaust centers across the United States. They come for a week-long academic graduate level seminar. And we have three centers here in New Jersey: Kean University, Brookdale Community College and Stockton,” Stahl mentioned.

JFR also provides teacher training and is launching a new online program that two New Jersey teachers developed. It’s called “ How is it Possible ? A Holocaust Curriculum For and By Teachers.” It's been vetted by Holocaust scholars and for teachers. New Jersey is a mandated state that teaches about the Holocaust and other genocides and atrocities.

The program is designed for middle and high school, social studies, ELA teachers. It being piloted in Palm Beach County, Florida.

If you’d like to help repay the heroes in Europe, click HERE .

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