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The Number on Great Grandpa's Arm

U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum Honors Gary Jacob & Stacey Saiontz

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 Annual New York Tribute Dinner Raises Over $3.2 Million

Gary Jacob and Stacey Saiontz

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum held its annual “What You Do Matters” New York Tribute Dinner on October 28 at Cipriani in New York City raising over $3.2 million in support of the Museum’s critical role as a living memorial to the Holocaust.

Sara J. Bloomfield, the Museum’s director delivered keynote remarks at the Tribute Dinner and thanked the Museum’s guests for their support: “Thank you for helping us unlock these powerful lessons of Holocaust history for people everywhere so that a new world might learn timely lessons from a past world. So that wishful thinking might be constantly confronted with determined resistance.  So that today’s bystander might not become tomorrow’s victim.  So that instead of ‘And then they came for me,’ we might shout, ‘Together we confronted them.’”

(L-R): Gary Jacob, Stacey Saiontz, Mindy Nagorsky-Israel, Jeffrey Feil and Howard Unger

During the benefit event, the Museum presented its National Leadership Award to Gary Jacob and Stacey Saiontz. The Museum’s National Leadership Award is presented to outstanding individuals who have made an exceptional commitment to advance the Museum’s mission of Holocaust remembrance and education.

Museum chairman Howard M. Lorber presented the National Leadership Award to Gary Jacob, a prominent New York real estate industry leader who serves as Executive Vice-President of Glenwood Management, and has been a key member of the Museum’s New York Real Estate group since 2011.

During Jacob’s award acceptance speech, he underscored his unwavering support of the Museum: “When I think about securing the future, the future we all want for our children and grandchildren, I think about a world free of hate, bigotry and discrimination. Unfortunately, we are seeing a rise in hatred and antisemitism around the world, including this country. That makes the Museum’s mission of teaching the lessons of our past history even more of a priority than ever before.”

Gary Jacob and Howard M. Lorber

New York Tribute Dinner Chair Howard Unger presented the National Leadership Award to Stacey Saiontz, granddaughter of Holocaust survivor Jack Feldman, who was recently featured in the HBO documentary “The Number on Great Grandpa’s Arm” with Stacey’s sons, Elliott and Jared.  Saiontz is also a founding member of the Museum’s New York Next Generation Board.

Upon accepting the National Leadership Award, Stacey Saiontz remarked: “My grandparents lost all of their siblings, their parents and their extended families in the Holocaust. They lost their homes, their childhood, and their entire world as they knew it.  Yet, they were resilient.  After experiencing the worst humanity had to offer, they still responded with the best of the human spirit.  They chose life. And because they chose life, I am able to stand before you tonight. That’s why standing in the Capitol building with four generations of my family watching my grandfather proudly light one of the six memorial candles during the National Days of Remembrance Ceremony was one of the most special moments of my life. That is why I support the Museum.”

Following Saiontz’ award acceptance remarks, Irene Weiss, a Museum volunteer who survived Auschwitz-Birkenau and forced labor as a teenage girl, shared her story which was especially meaningful just three months ahead of the 75TH anniversary of the camp’s liberation.

Irene Weiss

Andi Barchas, director of the Museum’s Northeast Regional Office, also addressed the Tribute Dinner guests, sharing how grateful the Museum is for supporters such as Gary Jacob and Stacey Saiontz. “I have known both of our honorees for many years, and we really are so fortunate to have them as part of our Museum family. Through Gary’s involvement with our Real Estate division and Stacey’s involvement with our Next Generation Group and in Westchester, they bring together a newly expanded group of Museum supporters. Thanks to their efforts, and the hard work of our chairs, there are almost 500 people in the room tonight and we have raised over 3.2 million dollars! Thank you all.”

The New York Tribute Dinner was chaired by Debrah Lee Charatan, Jeffrey Feil, Lloyd Goldman, Mindy Nagorsky-Israel and Ronen Israel, and Caryn and Howard Unger.

Jared Saiontz, Jack Feldman, Stacey Saiontz, Marc Saiontz and Elliott Saiontz

 

Howard Unger, Stacey Saiontz, Sara J. Bloomfield, Gary Jacob and Howard M. Lorber
Cathy and Gary Jacob
Marc and Stacey Saiontz and Mindy Nagorsky-Israel and Ronen Israel

About the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

A living memorial to the Holocaust, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum inspires citizens and leaders worldwide to confront hatred, prevent genocide, and promote human dignity. Its far-reaching educational programs and global impact are made possible by generous donors. For more information, visit www.ushmm.org.

 This news is courtesy of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.  

Chappaqua Resident Stacey Saiontz to be Honored at a U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum Benefit

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Marc Saiontz, Elliott Saiontz, Jack Feldman, Jared Saiontz and Stacey Saiontz

“What You Do Matters” New York Tribute Dinner 

NEW YORK, NY. (August 29, 2019) – The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum has announced that Stacey Saiontz of Chappaqua will be honored with the National Leadership Award at the 2019 “What You Do Matters” New York Tribute Dinner on Monday, October 28, 2019 at Cipriani 42nd Street.

Against the backdrop of the global rise in antisemitism, more than 450 guests are expected to attend this meaningful event to reaffirm their active commitment and support the Museum’s national campaign, Never Again: What You Do Matters, which will ensure that the Museum can make the critical investments to keep Holocaust memory alive as a relevant, transformative force in the 21st century.

Stacey Saiontz’s paternal grandparents survived the Holocaust, but it wasn’t until she started asking questions at an early age that her grandfather, Jack Feldman, began to share his story, including the time he spent in the Auschwitz concentration camp.  Over the years, Stacey filmed her grandfather’s memories from the Holocaust, capturing incredible details and intimate insight into the tragedies that he endured.

Stacey’s personal pursuit to preserve the evidence of the Holocaust extended beyond her family’s story. When Stacey married her husband Marc, they chose to make a donation to support the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Soon after in 2004, Stacey became one of the pioneering founders of the Museum’s New York Next Generation Board.

“Stacey Saiontz has emerged as one of our most dedicated young leaders, driven by her passion for preserving Holocaust history and promoting Holocaust education for future generations,” said Sindy Lugerner, Assistant Director, Development and Operations, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. “We are proud to honor Stacey with the National Museum Leadership Award as an inspiring leader in our community who exemplifies the importance of passing the torch of Holocaust remembrance to the next generation.”

Jack Feldman with two grandchildren at the USHMM DOR 20th anniversary

In 2018, HBO released a documentary inspired by the special relationship between Stacey’s grandfather, Jack, and her sons, Elliott and Jared.  The documentary, “The Number on Great Grandpa’s Arm,” is now used as a powerful educational tool to teach young audiences and people of all ages about the critical lessons of the Holocaust.

“During the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum’s 20th anniversary, my grandfather walked our son Elliott through the children’s exhibition, Daniel’s Story, and was able to share pieces of his personal story as it related to Daniel’s story with him,” says Stacey Saiontz. “This past April, we visited the Museum during the annual Days of Remembrance and my grandfather, now 93, was able to walk our younger son, Jared, through the same exhibition and share this unique experience with him, too.”

“The Museum serves as a moral compass, and is one of the most important institutions that we have, especially today as the number of survivors is dwindling,” continued Stacey. “I want my grandfather and all survivors to feel confident that the next generation will never let their stories fade, and that the Museum will continue to educate the world to ensure that this never happens again.  I feel so grateful that the Museum is honoring me and lucky that my grandfather is still here to witness it.”

Beyond serving as a founding member of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum’s New York Next Generation Board, Stacey has remained dedicated to Holocaust education causes throughout her life in leadership roles at the Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation, the Museum of Jewish Heritage, and the Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center.

At the New York Tribute Dinner chaired by Debrah Lee Charatan, Jeffrey Feil, Lloyd Goldman, Mindy Nagorsky-Israel and Ronen Israel, and Caryn and Howard Unger, all guests will receive free copies of the HBO documentary about Stacey’s family.  In addition, Gary Jacob will also be honored at the Dinner with the National Leadership Award for his dedicated leadership in the Museum’s Northeast community.

Jared Saiontz, Jack Feldman and Elliott Saiontz
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About the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum’s 2019 “What You Do Matters” New York Tribute Dinner:

When:                  October 28, 2019

6:30 p.m. Reception | 7:30 p.m. Dinner

Where:                 Cipriani 42nd Street, 110 East 42nd Street, New York City

RSVP:                    Benefit Event | Registration Required: https://www.ushmm.org/online-calendar/event/nytribdinner101

About the Museum

A living memorial to the Holocaust, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum inspires citizens and leaders worldwide to confront hatred, prevent genocide, and promote human dignity. Its far-reaching educational programs and global impact are made possible by generous donors. For more information, visit www.ushmm.org.

HBO’s “The Number on Great-Grandpa’s Arm” Airing January 27 Moves Bet Torah Audience

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Family Documentary Presented by HBO with the Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust, the short film “The Number on Great-Grandpa’s Arm” debuts this Saturday, January 27, from 6 p.m. to 6:20 p.m (ET/PT).

“A17606. That was his number and he told us back then that your number was your name. That is all he was to them.” Elliott Saiontz

Article and Photos by Grace Bennett

Elliott Saiontz with his great grandfather Jack Feldman

Mount Kisco, January 22–Hundreds of parents and their children packed the Bet Torah Synagogue sanctuary for an early screening of “The Number on Great-Grandpa’s Arm,” a powerful 19-minute HBO family documentary directed and produced by Amy Schatz. Filmed two years ago, it depicts 10-year-old Elliott’s adoring relationship with his great grandfather, the soft spoken and big hearted 90-year-old Jack Feldman. Through the film, Elliott first asks Jack questions about his experiences, and then we hear Jack’s heartbreaking answers.

At the film’s start–and with a backdrop of historical footage and the striking animation of acclaimed artist Jeff Scher throughout–Jack describes happy childhood memories of Poland (in his hometown of Sosnoweicz) predating the war. He tells his great grandson of an eclectic hat collection or of watching soccer games. Jack speaks of a close knit family, a successful family business and summertime vacations.

The documentary quickly segues into Jack describing harrowing experiences surviving Nazi brutality… from the forced wearing of yellow stars, confinement in a ghetto (“We had maybe 15-20 people sleeping in a room.”) to his separation from his family (“They grabbed me and took me away.”), of Auschwitz and of the notorious death march.  (“A lot of people couldn’t make it. Thousands and thousands just died.”)

Bet Torah’s Rabbi Aaron Brusso and Edna Friedberg, a historian with the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, spoke before the film with remarks sensitive to and frequently directed to the children in the room. “History is what happens to real people. It’s not just a flat idea; it’s something that happens to me and to you,” said Friedberg. She challenged the kids to explore their personal connections to the Holocaust as well. “If you have a connection to it, you as kids can be detectives on it too.”

Following the screening, Feldman and Elliott  participated in a panel discussion. Jack was asked how old he is today. Not missing a beat, he quipped: 72.  Laughter filled the sanctuary–the light moment a reprieve from the darkness of what was being discussed. Elliott’s grandfather, Sammy Feldman (92-year-old Jack Feldman’s first son) told attendees: “Between the ages of 12 and 17, hopefully you were enjoying your life… the Holocaust changed all that for the children of Europe. They were bullied and lost all their privileges. They lost all their rights.”

Rabbi Brusso noted fondly, “I wish I had a grandpoppy Jack.” Turning to Elliott, he offered his appreciation for “how you hold his hand and rub his arm.” He compared that kind of tenderness to Nazis “who treated people like objects.”  Elliott’s example of caring and kindness, in contrast, are “how we preserve every human being.”

On the panel, too: Elliott’s brother Jared and his mom Stacey Saiontz (“without whom it is safe to say we would not be having this program today,” noted Freidberg). Saiontz, a member of the group GenerationsForward of the Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center in White Plains, described a serendipitous meeting between herself and Sheila Nevins, a producer at HBO–ultimately leading to the film’s production. Elliott’s younger brother Jared, 10, answered a child’s question about when he learned of the Holocaust. He said his whole life he listened to his Mom interviewing his grandpa and started slowly learning.

Questions to the panel were mostly from children attending. More than one questioner seemed to want to find the good in human souls. Children are after all instructed to seek out ‘the helpers.’  “Was there ever a Nazi soldier undercover who tried to help the Jews?” one young girl asked. Elliott related that his grandfather was helped by a Nazi who knew his father and protected him from selection to the gas chamber. “Individual choices made a huge difference and could save a life,” said Friedberg. But they were also sadly the exception. 

“Why were Jewish people blamed for Germany’s problems?” another asked. Friedberg explained how the Nazi regime employed the dynamics of bullying to encourage the persecution of Jews. “People feel powerful by leaving one person on the outside,” she said. The Nazis were “building on an existing hatred and stereotypes about Jews.” The Nazis also targeted and murdered hundreds of thousands of Gypsies, Jehovah’s Witnesses, gay men, political prisoners and persons with mental and physical disabilities. 

But by far, it was the Jewish population that was decimated. Before the war, Friedberg continued, there were nine million Jewish people living in Europe; six million were murdered. “Two out of three.” She invited attendees to visit the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum to learn more.

Grace Bennett is publisher and editor in chief of the Inside Press, and the 2017 recipient of the Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center’s Bernard Rosenshein ‘Courage to Care’ award.

Resources:

www.mjhnyc.org/‎   The Museum of Jewish Heritage

https://www.ushmm.org/  United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

www.hhrecny.org Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center

 

Release info from HBO:

THE NUMBER ON GREAT-GRANDPA’S ARM was directed and produced by Amy Schatz; executive producer, Sheila Nevins; producer, Lynn Sadofsky; edited by Tom Patterson; animation by Jeff Scher; director of photography, Alex Rappoport; music composed by Keith Kenniff; production executive, Susan Benaroya; supervising producer, Lisa Heller.

It debuts this Saturday, January 27, from 6 p.m. to 6:20 p.m (ET/PT).

The film will also be available on HBO On Demand, HBO NOW, HBO GO and affiliate . THE NUMBER ON GREAT-GRANDPA’S ARM will be included in a signature initiative that is part of a robust education program offered by the Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust. This effort is designed to use the film with a companion special installation and curriculum to connect stories of the Holocaust across generations.Additionally, companion segments featuring young people in conversation with survivors will be made available on HBO digital platforms.

Director-producer Amy Schatz’s notable HBO projects include the recent “Saving My Tomorrow” series, plus “An Apology to Elephants,” the “Classical Baby” series, “A Child’s Garden of Poetry,” “‘Twas the Night,” “Goodnight Moon and Other Sleepytime Tales” and “Through a Child’s Eyes: September 11, 2001.” Her work has won five DGA Awards, seven Emmy® Awards and three Peabody Awards.

Animator Jeff Scher’s work is found in the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art, Academy Film Archive, Hirshhorn Museum and the Pompidou Centre.