2023 Humanitarian of the Year Gala

Thank you to everyone who joined us on May 7th to honor Barbara and Craig Weiner at the Signature Grand.  Thank you also to our many generous contributors and sponsors who helped us raise funds for our WECARE Food Pantry and Children's Scholarship programs.

Below is a link to view over 400 pictures of our 2023 Humanitarian of the Year Gala.  Again, thank you for your support that enables us to help many of our neighbors in need.

Your Friends at the Soref JCC

2023 Humanitarian of the Year Gala Pictures 
(click "show all" on bottom of screen and then "slideshow" in upper right)

Our 2023 Humanitarians of the Year 

Craig and Barbara Weiner moved from Canada to South Florida in 1977.  In 2012 Craig and Barbara decided to retire from their real estate development business specifically as their way to show their gratitude for the opportunity of living and working here in the United States by “giving back” to America through much needed Holocaust education.

In doing so, Craig and Barbara founded the educational organization “Holocaust Learning and Education Fund, Inc.”, a non-profit organization that promotes and conducts the teaching of Holocaust Education. The stated mission of this organization is to teach our nation’s students the importance of learning not only “about”, but even more importantly to learn FROM the Holocaust specifically to reject hate, prejudice, intolerance and bullying in ALL its ugly forms.

They created the Craig and Barbara Weiner Holocaust Reflection and Resource Center in the Alvin Sherman Library on the campus of Nova Southeastern University. This center has been permanently endowed so that it will remain open for all future generations as a resource for education.

Additionally, the Weiners created the statewide Holocaust Reflection Contest in which students and teachers from all middle and high schools throughout Florida are eligible to participate. It is now in its 9th year and is clearly the most successful student and teacher contest in Florida. This past year 86 judges were needed to judge the vast number of student entries.

The Craig and Barbara Weiner Holocaust Reflection and Resource Center collaborates with several national and international museums in the exchange of historical images, films, artifacts, and educational materials.

Due to their devotion and tremendous success of these initiatives, the Weiners have been chosen by the ADL as the “2021 Change Makers” for the State of Florida. And in 2022, they were awarded with the Southeast Leadership award by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

Proceeds support our WECARE food pantry that distributes free non-perishable food to local residents in need.  Proceeds also support our Scholarship Program that enables children from less fortunate families to attend our high quality preschool, after school, and summer camp programs, including those with special needs. We have provided approximately $12 million of scholarships since our inception in 1977.  Our programs provide assistance to all in need regardless of their background.