"The purpose of this evening was to honor Holocaust survivors and to foster an emotional connection between us," said Rebecca Tobias, program director of the Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Ethics, an outreach arm of the MJC&S, in an interview after the event. "By expressing themselves and telling their stories, the speakers granted all who attended the opportunity to learn first hand about Raoul Wallenberg and the Holocaust."  Nearly a dozen teenagers shared in  the evening's commemoration and stayed on afterward to ask questions of our special guests. For more on this story see the Malibu Times article. 

Rabbi Emeritus Benjamin Herson was also in attendance to pay tribute to the survivors, and had remarked that the spirit of the evening was in keeping with the Institute's core vision inspired by Mr. Michael Landon, of blessed memory, who co-founded the RWIE along with Rabbi Herson over 20 years ago. We were recently contacted by the Michael Landon Remembrance Project, an effort supported by loving family and friends of the late actor, which hosts an archive of testimonies of those who knew him personally and/or professionally. Past and current members of our board have offered their recollections of Mr. Landon's generosity and kindness, and I invite you to add your fondest memories alongside dozens of others touched by his remarkable life at: www.landonlegacy.com.

Our Institutes's guiding principles highlight personal integrity and intellectual inquiry, and its multi-generational programming has been generously offered as an on-going community service. Past symposia have covered a wide rage of topics such as; the relationship between science and religion, interfaith dialogue, the prevention of youth violence, the protection of indigenous rights, and nonviolent communication as a method of conflict resolution. These were made possible by the generous financial support of congregants like you, and with your help we can carry on our founders' purpose well into the future. Whether your donation is made in honor of a family simcha, or in loving memory of a dear friend, your contribution will insure that the Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Ethics can continue to provide quality programming that seeks to educate, inspire and unite our community.

The Wallenberg Institute has adopted the award winning documentary Encounter Point as the keystone of its 2008 Middle East Peace Project.  Part of our plan is to build an ongoing Middle East Peace Dialog with both Interfaith and Political components on the net as an outcome of our 2008 work.

"Encounter Point" introduces us to dozens of everyday heroes, courageous Israelis and Palestinians working together to make co-existence and reconciliation a reality. Their insights are shaping a new paradigm of compassion and courage.

"Love heals spiritually, physically, psychologically and politically. Politics is about relationships. Come to any relationship with a clear conscience, an open heart, and rolled up sleeves and the best that resides within us will manifest itself. G-d, and the universe rejoices, and the true nature of our souls are exercised." -- Rebecca Tobias, Wallenberg Institute Program Director

Swedish Diplomat Raoul Wallenberg saved the lives of over 100,000 Jews in Hungary from 1944 to 1945. He issued schutz-passes (protective passes), and maintained a number of safehouses throughout Hungary.

He was detained by the Soviet government in 1945, and his subsequent whereabouts are still unknown. 

The Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Ethics is currently working to document and archive the stories of those who met Wallenberg or were saved by his courageous deeds.

If you or someone you know were in Budapest during 1944 or 1945 and would like to contribute to this archive by offering your personal testimony, please call Rebecca Tobias at 310-916-8888 or email at Rebecca@raoulwallenberginstitute.org.

Volunteer journalists, photographers and filmmakers are invited to join in our efforts to chronicle these accounts.

for more information

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Upcoming and recent presentations of the award winning Encounter Point video

Pangea Day, May 10, Sony Picture Studios 
University Synagogue, Monday May 12, 7pm