Growing up as a young Jewish boy in Poland, Mark Schonwetter -- along with his sister and mother -- survived the Holocaust by hiding in the forests and in homes of generous Polish families.
One night to escape the Nazi's, Mark walked 15 miles to safety. Now, he's teaching others to walk with him to remember and honor those lost along the way. With a long family history and the chance to further Holocaust Education, Mark and his daughters, Ann Arnold and Isabella Fiske, have continued to share about his compelling story of survival with adults and students all over the United States, including most recently in Port Washington with Weber Middle School and Schreiber High School students.
In just four years since, the Mark Schonwetter Holocaust Education Foundation has granted over $293,000 of support, covering 31 states and reaching over 114,000 students across the United States. The money raised directly from the Port Washington walk supports MSHEF's Holocaust Education Grants for teachers across the country, including many at schools in Long Island and New York.
It was an effort to raise funds for Holocaust Education in partnership with The Mark Schonwetter Holocaust Education Foundation (MSHEF), as students participated in the final ¼ mile walk as the culmination of the "Journey for The Living" with Schonwetter. Students heard Mark's message of kindness and love for one another as a way to combat hate. In the end, Port Washington students walked more than 3000 miles during physical education classes to conclude the school year as part of the Mark Schonwetter Holocaust Education Foundation's annual event.
*photo credit to the Port Washington Patch
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