By Mike Wallenfels
SAN DIEGO — Holocaust Survivors and staffers for the Jewish Federation of San Diego conspired with Ron Cohn of the Cohn Restaurant Group on Friday, Jan. 31, to surprise Sandy Scheller, curator of the exhibit RUTH: Remember Us The Holocaust, now being shown at the La Jolla Library. We wanted to thank Sandy for all the work she has done for the New Life Club of Holocaust survivors and the Jewish community in general.
Cohn concocted a story about wanting to consult with Scheller about a project in Mexico, and offered to take her to lunch at one of the Cohn Restaurants: Coasterra on Harbor Island.
He met her outside the restaurant, where beforehand we Holocaust survivors had gathered, including Edith Palkowitz, for whom, sadly, this would be the last function.
Edith, of blessed memory died a couple days later. Her death underscored the diminishing ranks of Holocaust Survivors worldwide and how important exhibits like RUTH: Remember Us The Holocaust are to preserve memory of the past and to provide warnings for the future.
A special menu was devised for the luncheon, including margaritas preceding the fresh fish repast and a dessert afterwards.
Sandy, who does so much for others, was genuinely moved by our surprise, coming close to tears as she thanked us.
The exhibit at the La Jolla Library, 7555 Draper Avenue, will be shown throughout Calendar Year 2025.
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Survivors Mike and Manya Wallenfels reside in Carlsbad, California.