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MICAELA MCNIFF JOINS JFR STAFF
Micaela McNiff, an outstanding educator from Palm Beach County School District has joined the JFR staff as a Senior Education Program Associate. We asked Micaela to introduce herself.
Hello! My name is Micaela McNiff, and I am so excited and grateful for the opportunity to join the JFR team. I have spent my career in social studies education, beginning as a classroom teacher and most recently serving as a Social Studies Curriculum Specialist for the School District of Palm Beach County, Florida.
I earned my bachelor’s degree in History and Secondary Education and later completed a Juris Master in American Legal Studies. I am currently pursuing my Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy at the University of Florida. Education has always been incredibly important to me, and throughout my career, I have been fortunate to work with students, teachers, and school leaders in a variety of ways.
I am truly honored to be joining JFR. As an Alfred Lerner Fellow, I had the opportunity to experience JFR’s work firsthand as an educator and see the impact the organization has on teachers and, through them, their students. The opportunity to contribute to that work in a new way is incredibly meaningful to me. I am excited to bring my experiences in the classroom and at the school district level to this position, while also continuing to learn from Stanlee, the JFR team, the Lerner Fellows, and the broader JFR community.
One of the things I am most looking forward to is continuing to work with educators and supporting the work they are doing in their classrooms. Holocaust education carries an incredible responsibility, and being able to support teachers as they bring this history to their students is work that I care deeply about. I know how valuable it is as a teacher to have access to strong resources, meaningful professional learning, and a community of other educators who care deeply about what they teach. Having experienced that through the JFR myself makes the opportunity to now help provide that support to others particularly special to me.
I feel incredibly fortunate to be starting this next chapter with the JFR!
PROGRAM HONORING POLISH RIGHTEOUS
Stanlee Stahl, JFR’s Executive Vice President, attended a “Gala Evening in Honour of the Righteous Among the Nations.” The evening was sponsored by the Embassy of Israel in Poland and was held at the National Philharmonic Hall in Warsaw, Poland. The evening was special as the remaining Polish Righteous were recognized and feted. Given their advanced ages and health conditions, this was probably the last major event honoring surviving Polish Righteous. It was so good to see the Righteous and their family members whom the JFR has been funding for years.
GIVINGTUESDAY
Mark your calendar! GivingTuesday is Tuesday, December 1, 2026.
As we give thanks this year, let us remember to thank and take care of the men and women who risked their lives to save Jews during the Holocaust – non-Jews who refused to be passive in the face of the evil they witnessed. Now elderly and in financial need, help us to make their Christmas holiday a little brighter. Each November and December the JFR raises funds to send a special award to our rescuers for the purchase of food at Christmas. Our goal this year is $25,000 – help us reach this goal. Please consider making a gift of $36.00 or more. Click here to donate now.
2027 ADVANCED SEMINAR
The 2027 Advanced Seminar is closed. The focus of the 2027 Advanced Seminar is the impact of AI on Holocaust education and research and Chapter 9 of How Was it Possible? A Holocaust Reader by Peter Hayes, “Afterwards.” The following scholars will be presenting, Professor John Barrett from Fordham Law School, Professor Todd Presner from UCLA, Dr. Christine Schmidt from the Weiner Holocaust Library in London, and Professor Dan Stone from Royal Holloway, University of London. If you would like to receive copies of some of the assigned readings, please email Micaela McNiff at mmcniff@jfr.org.
PASTOR CHRIS EDMONDS TO SPEAK IN PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA
During the week of November 9-13, 2026, inSIGHT Through Education, Palm Beach County, FL, one of the JFR’s Holocaust Centers of Excellence, will once again host Pastor Chris Edmonds, the son of Master Sgt. Roddie Edmonds, Righteous Among the Nations.
Returning to Palm Beach County during Florida’s Holocaust Education Week, Pastor Edmonds will visit seven schools, reaching thousands of students with his father’s remarkable story of courage, compassion, and moral conviction. His programs will highlight the power of individual action and moral courage in the face of injustice.
WE MOURN THE PASSING OF MARGITA LEBDOVICOVA
The JFR mourns the passing of Margita Lebdovicova, a Righteous Gentile from Slovakia. The JFR began supporting Margita in May 1998. Margita was 95. Below is from Margita’s family.
Dear Ms. Stanlee,
Yesterday, our dear Aunt Margita completed her life’s journey. She fought the good fight and served as an example to us in many of life’s situations. She leaves a legacy for younger generations on how to be courageous and place one’s trust in a mighty God. She departed with the hope of resurrection and eternal life—free from pain and injustice.
At the same time, we would like to thank you and your JFR team for your years of support and the genuine interest you have shown in us. May God bless all of you, the donors! I wish you an abundance of God’s blessings in your own lives.
With best regards from the Stiskal and Macík families, as well as my daughter, who helped with Aunt Margita’s care.
JFR 2027 SUMMER INSTITUTE FOR TEACHERS
The 2027 Summer Institute for Teachers (SIT) was announced last week. If you know of an educator who might be interested in attending the SIT, they should reach out to their local Holocaust center director or center director of education. The dates of the SIT are June 26 – 30, 2027. The program will be held at the Hilton Newark Airport.
STAY IN TOUCH
Please do let us know how you are doing and consider writing a piece for the Alfred Lerner Fellows eNewsletter.
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