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Co-founder Sharon Hannah Berry is one of Hannah’s seven grandchildren. Along with her sisters, Sandra and Cynthia, this foundation was created to fulfill Ben Fainer’s wishes of continuing his legacy of Holocaust education. Ben is their father who survived Hitler's Hell.
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"While most U.S. adults know when the Holocaust happened and are familiar with Auschwitz, [...] fewer are cognizant about the number of Jews murdered and how Hitler came to power in Germany, according to a [...] American Jewish Committee (AJC) public opinion survey." /1
"I have never seen a picture of my grandmother Hannah, though I continue to search records and photos that have become available. This seemingly small matter is a profound metaphor that illustrates the reality of a life once lived full and normal — extinguished from humanity. Those of us, who carry on the legacy for the victims of this atrocity, have a responsibility to keep their stories alive in ways that honor, respect, and inspire. It is my intent to promote the affirming lessons learned through Holocaust education, hearing personal histories and conscientious reflection."
It seems the concept of Never Again has been replaced with disinformation intended to denigrate people who observe Judaism. This powerful wave of hate in the streets, the media, and college campuses propels us to challenge the rise in global anti-Semitism fueled by lack of knowledge about the Holocaust, Holocaust denial, prejudices against Jews, and the denial of Israel’s right to exist.
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Sharon is retired and now works part time in a research capacity. She devotes the lion's share of her time to the administration and management of the Hannah Ida Urman Foundation. She lives on a several acres in the suburbs of Philadelphia, and has turned her love of gardening into a farmette growing blackberries, sunflowers, and tomatoes. In her spare time, she is writing a book to be titled After the Silence; her personal story following her father's memoir Silent for Sixty Years, co authored by Mark Leach.
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/1 The survey of U.S. adults was conducted for AJC, a nonpartisan organization, by the independent research firm SSRS. A nationally representative sample of 1,004 general population adults, ages 18 or older, was interviewed from October 10 – October 18, 2022. The margin of error is +/-3.8 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.
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The legacy of those the world lost and those who suffered and survived must continue to be remembered and honored. For it is when we reflect upon their stories, we learn the reasons of the Holocaust, and we remember from the past what hatred can do . . . and how to never let it happen again.
Can you fathom the horror and pain of
Six Million lives tortured and killed?
It is only through the love and compassion of his audiences was Ben able to psychologically confront the pain from the loss of his mother, Hannah. Through telling his story, Ben formed thousands of friendships and was able to restore trust in humanity -- despite the hate he experienced.
Help Continue Ben's Mission, Be a Purveyor of Hope.
Via PayPal
You May Also Donate by Check via Mail to:
The Hannah Ida Urman Foundation
P. O. Box 6573
St. Louis, MO 63125
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The Hannah Ida Urman Foundation is tax exempt by the IRS under 501(c)(3), Tax ID 82-1305059​
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BENNY URMAN
is the patriarch in this photo and was Hannah’s uncle, who also lived in Bedzin, Poland. Benny and his family members were murdered by the Nazis, with the exception of Ester (back row, third from left). Ester escaped death and then went to Dublin, (where Hannah’s uncle and siblings were living, and where Hannah's son Ben also went after liberation), she then moved to Israel . Ester is now deceased; her son Benny Hershkowitz lives in Israel - Ben's first cousin, once removed.
Benny Hershkowitz recently found a journal his father wrote covering the Nazi invasion of his home town and other subsequent time periods. You can follow the link to view the journal on Benny's web site, which also features his handcrafted Judaica art from olive and other wood. Among many other items, he has created several pieces depicting the Great Synagogue in Bedzin that was destroyed by the Nazis.