| Presented by a surprise celebrity guest during the program January 19, 2022 [St. Petersburg, FL] — The Florida Holocaust Museum announces The 2022 Legacy award honorees, Ruth Bielski Ehrreich and Brendon Rennert to be awarded during their 2022 To Life Virtual Gala by a surprise celebrity guest during the program. The FHM’s Legacy Award is given each year to honor a person whose commitment to sharing the story of a Holocaust Survivor empowers future generations to use the lessons of the past to create a better future. Because family and friends of Survivors will soon be the ones responsible for ensuring these stories are told, their efforts are becoming more and more essential. Daughter and grandson of Tuvia and Lillian Bielski of the Bielski partisans. Tuvia Bielski, with the help of his brothers Asael and Zus Bielski, saved more than 1,200 people while living in the forest during World War II. The Bielski brothers took refuge from the Nazis in the forests surrounding Novogrudok, Belarus, and there formed a community of men, women, and children. The Bielski brothers’ Jewish partisan unit, or otriad as known in Russian, was unique. While the great majority of partisan groups in World War II sought to fight the Germans in their midst, the Bielski brothers cared more about preserving the lives of as many Jews as possible than they did about attacking the German forces that occupied Western Belorussia. In 2008, The Florida Holocaust Museum created the award-winning, original exhibition “Courage and Compassion: The Legacy of the Bielski Brothers” with the help of Ruth and Brendon along with the rest of the Bielski family. The Bielski brother’s story was also depicted in the 2008 film “Defiance.” Since then, the family has remained engaged with The FHM, sharing their story as well as original objects with the Museum, its visitors, and students throughout the state of Florida and across the country. Brendon appeared on “Mysteries at the Museum” to talk about the Bielskis filmed on-location at The Florida Holocaust Museum. To Life 2022 marks The Florida Holocaust Museum’s 30th anniversary. This one-hour online program will offer the opportunity to strengthen The FHM’s mission and remember the lessons of the Holocaust. The online virtual event will take place on Thursday, February 3rd at 7:00 PM. To RSVP, please visit www.TheFHM.org/tolife and learn more about their program and honorees. Thank you to our 30th Anniversary Presenting Sponsor: Xiaohong Sunny Zhong and Robert M. Cohen, Platinum Sponsor: John Picciano and Visionary Sponsor: Sandy Mermelstein and Kent “Scooter” Bontly, and all our other event sponsors. About The Florida Holocaust MuseumOne of the largest Holocaust Museums in the country, and one of three nationally accredited Holocaust museums, The Florida Holocaust Museum honors the memory of millions of men, women, and children who suffered or died in the Holocaust. The FHM is dedicated to teaching members of all races and cultures the inherent worth and dignity of human life in order to prevent future genocides. For additional information, please visit www.TheFHM.org |
 |
 |
| # # # |
| The Florida Holocaust Museum | TheFHM.org |