NEW YORK DINNER

On Tuesday, December 1, 2009, the JFR welcomed 750 guests to the grand ballroom of the Waldorf=Astoria to honor Abby and Andrew Crisses.  It was a beautiful and memorable event, attracting over 750 guests and raising more than $875,000!  Dinner Chair Charles Merinoff presented the JFR's Recognition of Goodness Award to Abby and Andy Crisses.  Abby and Andrew Crisses were recognized for their tireless passion for improving the lives of others and a commitment to repairing the world, tikkun olam. Their enthusiasm and generosity have impacted the lives of so many people, and we thank them for their dedication to the JFR.

At the dinner, we also reunited Bronislaw Firuta a rescuer from Poland with the man he and his family saved during the Holocaust, Joseph Bonder.  Joseph and his sister Joan hid in the Firuta home for almost two years. In 2009 JFR-produced a documentary, Reunion 2009 – Village on the Rock, that tells their story. The film was awarded the 2010 Silver Telly Award, their highest award, in the "History/Biography" category. Until they met at JFK Airport on Wednesday, November 25, 2009 (when Mr. Firuta arrived from Poland), the two men had not seen each other since 1945. We at the JFR have been fortunate over the years to meet a number of Christian rescuers. Whenever we meet rescuers like Mr. Firuta, we are reminded of the impact an individual can have on the world.

Another highlight of the evening was recognizing two outstanding teachers.  JFR board member Debórah Dwork's presented the Robert I. Goldman Award for Excellence in Holocaust Education to Lerner Fellow James Lucot from Seneca Valley Senior High in Harmony, Pennsylvania.  Lerner Fellow Christa Miller from Jackson High School in Jackson, Georgia was not able to attend the dinner since she had just given birth to her son Reece.

It was a terrific evening, and we are grateful to all the supporters of the JFR for making the dinner such a huge success.