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Mark Schonwetter
Mark Schonwetter was born in 1933 in Brzostek, a small town in southern Poland. He was just six years old when the Nazis invaded Poland in 1939, bringing devastation to his community and the Jewish families who lived there. When the Jews of Brzostek were forced into a ghetto and then slated for deportation, Mark’s father, Israel, was taken away and never seen again. Mark, his mother, Sala, and his younger sister, Zosia, fled into the forests, hid in attics and barns, and endured a harrowing journey of survival.
Inspired by his story and legacy, Mark’s daughters, Ann Arnold and Isabella Fiske, established the Mark Schonwetter Holocaust Education Foundation. The foundation provides grants to schools and educators across the United States to support Holocaust education and to promote compassion and understanding among young people.
Mark’s life is a testament to courage, resilience, and the enduring power of love and humanity. Through his words and legacy, he continues to remind the world that even in the darkest times, goodness and kindness can prevail.
We are committed to Holocaust Education and to learning through action both for today's world and for future generations. Each year, we bring Holocaust Survivors to the Atlanta community - and digitally around the world - so they may share their stories, their connections to others during the war, and the impact they have had since the war. Thus, we remember the past and reach for the future.
Our Commitment to Genocide Prevention
Preventing genocide is an ongoing effort and we work every day to ensure that we are contributing to education and prevention efforts in our home community of Atlanta, Georgia, and around the world. We have initiated various projects, including an annual Holocaust Remembrance event, an annual fundraising run/walk, and a worldwide living Holocaust memorial garden that honors the memory of the children who perished in the Holocaust and supports children suffering in humanitarian crises in the world today.
Learn More About Our Initiatives and How You Can Participate
Whether you'd like to volunteer with one of our programs, attend a remembrance event, or donate in support of our efforts, we look forward to your support. Our efforts continue to grow every year thanks to the individuals and organizations that give their time and resources to help communities in need and to ensure that those who have perished in the Holocaust and other acts of genocide are not forgotten.