Search to Benefit Holocaust Survivors Intensifies

  • There are over 200,000 Holocaust survivors living in the U.S.
  • The Red Cross has conducted 40,000 Holocaust tracing cases over the years.
  • The Red Cross has created over 1,500 family reunions between Holocaust survivors.
  • There are over 100 Red Cross Holocaust tracing cases currently pending in Palm Beach County. 

West Palm Beach, FL (October 29, 2009)—The Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter of the American Red Cross is redoubling its efforts to find answers for survivors who lost loved ones during the World War II era more than 60 years ago. From Thursday, November 4th to Sunday, November 8th, the local Red Cross will host distinguished guest Linda Klein, Director of the Red Cross Holocaust & War Victims Tracing and Information Center, which is located in Baltimore. Klein will travel throughout Palm Beach County, spreading word of the Red Cross’ free tracing service with a sense of urgency to community groups including Alpert Jewish Family & Children’s Service, Child Survivors/Hidden Children of the Holocaust, the American Red Cross, Ruth Rales Jewish Family Service, the Volen Center, and several area temples.

On Sunday, November 8th, the Chapter is hosting an informal community-wide reception at the Count & Countess de Hoernle Service Center of the American Red Cross from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (5820 North Federal Highway, Boca Raton, 33487). Holocaust survivors and their descendants; families of Holocaust victims; Veterans; and those with a general interest in war victims tracing and how it resonates in the mission of today’s Red Cross are encouraged to attend the free event, where they can connect over a light kosher lunch. A team of the organization’s volunteers will be available that day to begin search inquiries. Guests will also have the chance to meet local people who have successfully found answers regarding the fate of loved ones by utilizing Red Cross tracing. At the events’ close, Klein will leave for Baltimore.

About the Red Cross Holocaust and War Victims Tracing Center:

The Center for Information on Holocaust Restitution estimates that 5 to 10 survivors die each day. As time runs out for aging survivors, the Red Cross Holocaust Tracing Service offers to search for family members and document the fates of loved ones through personal services that are comprehensive, confidential and free of charge. The Red Cross tracing service has accessed resources and archives throughout the world, including the complete holdings of the International Tracing Service in Bad Arolsen, Germany, since the Soviet Union’s release of documents to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in 1989. That cache of documents, which included Auschwitz death books and hundreds of thousands of names of concentration camp victims, provided the single largest source of information made available since the end of World War II.

The Red Cross has operated this specialized tracing service for the past 19 years. Over the course of just a few months, the Tracing Center recently located 20 individuals and recovered information, such as date of death, on 400 others. Overall, the organization has found more than 1,500 survivors alive. In thousands of other cases, inquirers have discovered information about the circumstances of a loved one’s death. Others access this service for documentation of forced/slave labor or proof of internment.

To Begin a Search:

To access a search, survivors or their family members are urged to contact the Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter of the American Red Cross anytime at (561) 833-7711, visit the Red Cross on the web at www.redcross-pbc.org, or attend any Ms. Klein’s upcoming presentations. Inquirers will need to gather the following information about sought person: relationship to inquirer; first and last name; date of birth or approximate year or range of years of birth; country of birth; country last resided; and last contact with sought person. 

ATTEND A PRESENTATION:

Thursday, November 5, 2009:

  • Eat & Schmooze, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Join Linda Klein over lunch at the Volen Center in Boca Raton as Alpert Jewish Family & Children’s Service, Ruth Rales Jewish Family Service, Next Generations and the Volen Center partner to meet the unique socialization needs of Holocaust survivors. Free kosher lunch for seniors and transportation available; call Genevieve Mosley at (561) 395-8920 before 12 p.m. no later than one day in advance to RSVP. The Volen Center is located at 1515 West Palmetto Park Road in Boca Raton.
  • Chabad Lubavitch of Greater Boynton, 5 p.m.: Linda Klein will participate in a presentation at 10655 El Clair Ranch Road in Boynton Beach.
  • Temple Beth Tikvah Cultural Series, 7 p.m.: Join Linda Klein for Temple Beth Tikvah’s cultural series kick-off presentation at 4550 Jog Road in Lake Worth.

Friday, November 6, 2009,

  • Red Cross volunteer & staff address, 9 a.m.: Learn more about Red Cross Holocaust & War Victims Tracing at local Red Cross Headquarters (825 Fern Street, West Palm Beach). Immediately followed by a Holocaust Tracing Volunteer Workshop where individuals can share stories and register to volunteer. RSVP to Brittany Jo Miller, (561) 650-9114.
  • Temple Shaarei Shalom, 8 p.m.: Linda Klein will speak at Temple Shaarei Shalom’s service, 9085 Hagen Ranch Road in Boynton Beach.

Saturday, November 7, 2009, Temple Beth El presentation, 9 a.m.: Linda will make a presentation during services at 2815 North Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach.

Sunday, November 8, 2009, Reconnect Holocaust Survivors, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Holocaust survivors and their descendants; families of Holocaust victims; Veterans; and those who have a general interest in war victims tracing and how it resonates in the mission of today’s Red Cross are encouraged to attend and connect over a light kosher lunch at the Red Cross in Boca Raton (5820 North Federal Highway). RSVP to Brittany Jo Miller, (561) 650-9114.

More About Linda Klein:

Linda Cauthen Klein was appointed Director of the Red Cross Holocaust and War Victims Tracing and Information Center in April, 1994. Before that, she was the Communications Director for the Red Cross Central Maryland Chapter and Greater Chesapeake and Potomac Blood Services Region. As director of the tracing center, Ms. Klein is responsible for its day-to-day operations. In 2002, she traveled to Israel to help Magen David Adom establish a tracing office in Tel Aviv. Ms. Klein has also developed capacity building programs with tracing departments in Canada and Poland.

Before joining the Red Cross, Ms. Klein was the Assistant Director of Marketing and Public Relations for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. She has written numerous articles and reviews for the Baltimore Jewish Times, and she served as president of the Baltimore Public Relations Council in 1996 and 1997. Ms. Klein holds a bachelor’s degree from Oberlin College and a Masters from Towson State University. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Edward A. Myerberg Senior Center and was the recipient of the 2006 Gloria Harris Award for outstanding volunteer service. She lives in Reistertown, MD with her husband, Yale.

# # #

About the Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter of the American Red Cross:

For over 90 years, the Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter of the American Red Cross, which includes Glades, Hendry, Okeechobee and Palm Beach counties, has provided relief to victims of disasters at home and abroad, taught lifesaving skills, and supported military members and families. The American Red Cross, a charity and not a government agency, depends on voluntary contributions of time and money to perform its humanitarian mission. To learn more about the work of the Red Cross in communities, or to make a donation, please call 561-833-7711 or visit our website at  www.redcross-pbc.org.