PJHR Announces New Endowment for CHHRE

BOCA RATON, Fla. (May 30, 2018) – Florida Atlantic University’s Center for Holocaust and Human Rights Education recently received a generous gift from Sheldon (Shelly) and Ellen Hechtman to establish the “Noah Klersfeld Endowed Excellence Fund in Holocaust and Human Rights.” The endowment will provide funding for programs of excellence and to benefit students and teachers served by the Center both immediately and in perpetuity.

“We are establishing this endowment for the Center for Holocaust and Human Rights Education in memory of our son Noah Klersfeld who was a steadfast believer in Human Rights,” said Shelly Hechtman, volunteer member of the Center’s Development Advisory Group. “It is our hope that by establishing this endowment, others will follow in our path and do the same. We believe that the students who are touched by the Center will make this world a better place for current and future generations.

FAU’s Center for Holocaust and Human Rights Education serves more than 500 K-12 teachers as well as 350 FAU students by offering professional development through workshops, the Holocaust Summer Institute, intensive travel-study opportunities, and community programs. As a valuable resource to educators, the Center provides age appropriate materials, lessons and curriculum, a lending library and consultations at no cost. The Center is a unit within the Peace, Justice and Human Rights (PJHR) Initiative.

The mission of the Center’s work is to combat prejudice, hatred, and indifference by teaching the history of the Holocaust; apply the lessons of the Holocaust to understand the consequences of prejudice and bigotry; identify behaviors that discriminate against people; know when and how to act on behalf of others whether we know them or not; and to become active citizens who are able to uphold the dignity of all people.

“We are truly grateful to Shelly and Ellen for selecting FAU to memorialize their son’s commitment to human rights and in establishing the first endowment within our Center,” said Linda Medvin, Director, FAU’s Center for Holocaust and Human Rights Education. “Funding will help continue our important work for generations to come, as a remembrance to Noah and to collectively promote a respect for all people through studying the Holocaust, genocide and human rights.” PJHR Executive Director, Dr. Steven D. Roper noted that “Shelly and Ellen have been long-term supporters of the Center for Holocaust and Human Rights Education, and this generous gift in memory of Noah will have a long-lasting impact on FAU in the area of human rights.”

For more information on FAU’s Center for Holocaust and Human Rights Education, contact Linda Medvin, M.Ed., Director at 561-297-2929 or lmedvin@fau.edu.