Category Archives: News

Latest Updates from HSF-USA

"With all those promises, I applied to ICHEIC. They said they could not find my father’s name. They sent a check for $1000 as a 'humanitarian payment.' ICHEIC sent out 34,000 of those $1000 checks. Survivors deeply resent the idea of a 'humanitarian payment' instead of the funds we know our parents set aside in case of a disaster. The whole thing was an insult to survivors, and it still is."

David Mermelstein’s Statement to the US Senate

I remember there was a plaque on our in house that said there was insurance, by Generali. My father was a careful businessman, so naturally he would have had insurance to protect his business and his family. Many survivors also remember those plaques, or an agent coming around every two weeks to collect premiums, but most of us 3were too young to know the name of the insurance company. Of course we have no documents for obvious reasons. In 1998, we worked closely with our Florida Insurance Commissioner, Bill Nelson, for a State law to make the companies publish all the names and allow survivors to go to court if they wouldn’t settle. That is when the companies came up with the idea of the ICHEIC commission – because of pressure from the states. Still, everyone told us ICHEIC was voluntary and not binding unless you agreed to a settlement. So, with all those promises, I applied to ICHEIC. They said they could not find my father’s name. They sent a check for $1000 as a“humanitarian payment.”ICHEIC sent out 34,000 of those $1000 checks. Survivors deeply resent the idea of a ‘humanitarian payment’ instead of the funds we know our parents set aside in case of a disaster. The whole thing was an insult to survivors, and it still is.

"With all those promises, I applied to ICHEIC. They said they could not find my father’s name. They sent a check for $1000 as a 'humanitarian payment.' ICHEIC sent out 34,000 of those $1000 checks. Survivors deeply resent the idea of a 'humanitarian payment' instead of the funds we know our parents set aside in case of a disaster. The whole thing was an insult to survivors, and it still is."

Full Senate Judiciary Hearing from September 17, 2019

Senate Committee on the Judiciary
September 17, 2019
Panel:
Mr. Baird Webel
Specialist in Financial Economics
Congressional Research Service
Washington , DC
Mr. David Mermelstein
President
Holocaust Survivors of Miami-Dade County, FL
Miami , FL
Ms. Anna B. Rubin
Director
Holocaust Claims Processing Office
New York State Department of Financial Services
New York, NY
Mr. Samuel Dubbin
Counsel to
Holocaust Survivors Foundation USA
Coral Gables , FL
Ambassador Stuart E. Eizenstat
Former U.S. Ambassador and Special Advisor on Holocaust Issues
United States Department of State
Washington , DC

Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing on Unpaid Holocaust-Era Insurance

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2019

On Tuesday, September 17, at 10:00 am, the United States Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on the subject of unpaid Holocaust Era Insurance Claims.  Further info and a stream of the hearing are available at the Senate Judiciary Committee website. HSF submitted the materials attached in the document below to Senate Judiciary Chair Lindsey Graham on Friday, September 13.

David Schaecter tells the AP: the companies have demanded original paperwork, such as death certificates, that were not available after World War II. The survivors want to take insurance companies to court in the U.S. to recover the money, but it would take an act of Congress to allow it. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

“Aging Holocaust survivors try to sue over Nazi-era insurance” AP story

“This is an insult to humanity,” said Schaecter, 90, president of the organization and a survivor of the Auschwitz and Buchenwald concentration camps. “I think they are trying to sweep it under the carpet. The fact is, we are a dying breed. There are so few of us left.”

Read more in the Sun-Sentinel and Associated Press

The survivors want to take insurance companies to court in the U.S. to recover the money, but it would take an act of Congress to allow it. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
HSF-USA members David Schaecter and David Mermelstein gathered at Mo’s Bagels and Deli in Aventura with Curt Anderson and Wilfredo Lee from the AP. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Remembering Mark E. Talisman, an inspiring and tireless champion for survivors


It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Mark E. Talisman, Founding Vice Chairman of the US Holocaust Memorial Council and beloved friend. Mark was appointed to the Council by President Carter and served as Vice Chairman from 1980-1986.

The US Holocaust Museum’s flags being flown at half-staff on Friday in memory of Mark Talisman.

      We share our love and condolences with Mark’s wife, Jill Talisman, daughter Jessica Talisman, granddaughter Colby Herman and grandson Gus Herman, son Rafi and daughter in law Karma Talisman, and grandson Sascha Talisman.

Mark Talisman Statement

Honoring the memory of Mark Talisman

The Times of Israel Obituary for Mark Talisman

From JewishMiami.org

HSF-USA Ally Ileana Ros-Lehtinen’s Remarks on Holocaust Remembrance Day

A few weeks ago, our friend and recently retired Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, gave a magnificent speech to the leadership of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, in which she was very clear about the imperative for governmental and community leadership to be more responsive to Holocaust survivors rights, needs and interests.  She also spoke eloquently about the importance of steadfast support for the State of Israel in these perilous times.  The Holocaust Survivors Foundation USA is extremely grateful for Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen’s commitment to Holocaust survivors and the safety and security of the State of Israel.

Thank you,

David Schaecter, HSF-USA President

Ileana’s Zachor Speech PDF — April 11, 2019

Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein speaking after deadly attack on California Synagogue

HSF Statement on San Diego Synagogue Attack

As Holocaust survivors and descendants of Holocaust survivors, we are outraged and saddened that, once again, a Jewish community was brazenly attacked during worship services on Shabbat, which was also the last day of Passover. We send our deepest condolences to all affected by this tragedy, and prayers of healing and for a full recovery — refuach shelayma — to all.

As Holocaust survivors and descendants of Holocaust survivors, we are outraged and saddened that, once again, a Jewish community was brazenly attacked during worship services on Shabbat, which was also the last day of Passover. As Holocaust survivors and descendants of Holocaust survivors, we are outraged and saddened that, once again, a Jewish community was brazenly attacked during worship services on Shabbat, which was also the last day of Passover.

Links:

“No One Should Be Gunned Down During Worship” — New York Times
“In the past 6 weeks, Churches, Mosques, a Synogogue have been attacked” — CNN
‘It Couldn’t Happen Here’ Is Proved Wrong, Again — the algemeiner
Holocaust memorial ceremony comes a day after shooting in California — Miami Herald

U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton Praises Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Holocaust Insurance Legislation

Excerpt from Remarks of National Security Advisor John Bolton at the Freedom Tower
Miami, Florida
November 1, 2018

Miami is home to countless Americans who fled the prisons and death squads of the Castro regime in Cuba, the murderous dictatorships of Chavez and Maduro in Venezuela, and the horrific violence of the 1980s and of today under the brutal reign of the Ortegas in Nicaragua.

Others who call Miami home have escaped anti-Semitism and prejudice that has unfortunately existed in the region.

Anti-Semitism has no place in the United States, or anywhere in the world.  We all have a responsibility to confront this heinous hatred, whether it occurs in Pittsburgh, Caracas, or in any other city.

And you know, on that score, nobody has done more than Ileana Ros-Lehtinen including her leadership in the bill she’s introduced to allow Holocaust survivors the opportunity to bring their cases to court.  Thank you, Ily.