KPBS, Union Bank name 3 local Jewish heroes

Rose Schindler, president of the New Life Club, was among three named by Union Bank and KPBS as Jewish heroes.  She is shown speaking at the Holocaust commemoration held Sunday, May 1, at the Lawrence Family JCC (SDJW photo by Shor Masori)
Rose Schindler, president of the New Life Club, was among three named by Union Bank and KPBS as Jewish heroes. She is shown speaking at the Holocaust commemoration held Sunday, May 1, at the Lawrence Family JCC (SDJW photo by Shor Masori)

SAN DIEGO (Press Release) — In celebration of Jewish American Heritage Month and as part of its ongoing commitment to inclusion, diversity and responsible banking, Union Bank has partnered with KPBS to honor three inspiring local heroes. The 2016 Jewish American Heritage Month honorees are: Marjorie Morrison, founder and CEO, PsychArmor Institute; and Rose and Max Schindler, Holocaust survivors/educators. The honorees will be recognized at a private dinner celebration with their families and executives from KPBS and Union Bank.

Since 1998, KPBS and Union Bank have collaborated on the Local Heroes program and recognized more than 200 honorees. The program pays tribute to exemplary leaders who are making a difference and enriching the lives of others by improving their community, region and the world at large. The 2016 Jewish American Heritage Month honorees demonstrate a shared commitment to providing their communities with the tools to thrive in today’s changing world.

In addition to the Jewish American Heritage Month local heroes recognized in May, honorees were identified during Black History Month (February) and Women’s History Month (March) and will also be recognized during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (May); LGBT Pride Month (June); Hispanic Heritage Month (September/October); Disability Awareness Month (October); and American Indian Heritage Month (November).

“Union Bank is proud to honor these Jewish American Heritage local heroes,” said Union Bank Regional President Robbin Narike Preciado. “The important stories shared by the Schindlers and the education and resources Ms. Morrison has given to those supporting our veterans are truly making a difference in our world.”

“We thank these local heroes for making our community and world a better place,” said Tom Karlo, KPBS general manager. “We celebrate their generosity in sharing their stories and knowledge to help others learn and grow.”

The 2016 honorees for Jewish American Heritage Month are:

Holocaust survivors Rose and Max Schindler share their survival stories and educate school groups, churches, and others in San Diego and across the country about the attrocities of the Holocaust. Since 1972, Mrs. Schindler has spoken about her time in Auschwitz where she was incarecerated at the age of 15 and never saw her family again. Mr. Schindler was  incarcerated more than 1,000 nights in five different concentration camps.

Mrs. Schindler, 86, first started giving presentations on her experiences in Auschwitz when her son Steven attended Louis Junior High and found it would benefit her son and other students if she shared her experiences as a Holocaust survivor. She has received awards for her efforts from the San Diego Girl Scouts and others.

Marjorie Morrison, LMFT, LPCC, is the founder and CEO of PsychArmor Institute, a non-profit organization providing free education and support to civilians about how to work with, live with and care for military veterans. Ms. Morrison spent more than a decade working with military counseling programs for the U.S. Marines. Three years ago, she founded PsychArmor Institute and has seved as a leader in the field guiding collaborative efforts between government and nonprofit organizations and corporations to provide the tools and support necessary to welcome back and reintegrate veterans.

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