75th Anniversary Gala

Dear Friends,
 
We did it! With deep pride and gratitude to our honorees and volunteers, we’re delighted to announce that Selfhelp’s 75^thAnniversary Gala exceeded our expectations, with $950,000 raised to support the current and future needs of thousands of Holocaust survivors in our care. 
 
420 guests joined together on May 19^that the Museum of Jewish Heritage to celebrate our honorees and pay tribute to Selfhelp on our 75^thAnniversary.  Feted at the Gala was Guest of Honor and Selfhelp Board member, Steven G. Tepper, Chair of Selfhelp’s Nazi Victim Services Committee.  Steve’s family including wife, Carol, and children, Lisa and David, joined him along with dear friends and colleagues from Arnold & Porter LLP.  Harvey M. Krueger, Dinner Chair, presented Steve with a much deserved award as well as a meaningful surprise arranged for by Mr. Krueger:  a family tree tracing back generations of the Tepper family. 
 
The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Saul Kagan, Executive Vice President Emeritus and Special Consultant to the Claims Conference. Ambassador Stuart E. Eizenstat, Special Advisor to the Secretary of State for Holocaust issues, presented Mr. Kagan with the award for his critical role in securing compensation for Holocaust survivors throughout the world. Mr. Kagan’s relationship with Selfhelp dates back to the early 1950s when he was instrumental in securing funding for Selfhelp’s first affordable senior housing complex for Holocaust survivors.
 
The future of Selfhelp took center stage when Selfhelp NextGen was honored with a Special Tribute. Presented by Gala Committee Chair Raymond V.J. Schrag and Selfhelp CEO Stuart C. Kaplan, the group was acknowledged for the great strides they have made in just a year and a half since their inception.   
 
Special guests at the Gala included four Holocaust survivors served by Selfhelp who graciously agreed to be interviewed for the video presentation shown that evening. 
 
It spoke to the deep devotion of our friends that so many traveled far and wide to take part in the celebration.   Old friends and new came together, and as one attendee poignantly articulated the sentiment repeated by so many, “I feel proud to be part of the Selfhelp family.” 
 
Our very warmest thanks to the 75^thAnniversary Gala Committee whose tireless efforts made this event a shining moment in the history of Selfhelp.  And our deepest appreciation to all of our friends who attended, supported, and reached out to others on behalf of those we serve.  With your assistance we will fulfill the promise made by our founders over seven decades ago: “to serve as the last surviving relatives to victims of Nazi persecution.”
 

Sincerely,

Victor A. Whyler President Board Of Directors	Ernest L. Bial Chair SCS Foundation	Stuart C. Kaplan CEO

Lifetime Achievement Award:  SAUL KAGAN  Saul Kagan has dedicated his life’s work to obtaining “a measure of justice” for Holocaust survivors throughout the world. A native of Vilna, Mr. Kagan first became involved in tracing Jewish property confiscated by the Nazis immedi-ately after World War II, when he served as Chief of Financial Intelligence, U.S. Military Government Germany.

Mr. Kagan then served as chief executive of the Claims Conference upon its creation in 1951, and now serves as Executive Vice-President Emeritus and Special Consultant.