When Schindler's List was released in 1994, I saw an opportunity to turn the turbulent emotions that the movie evoked into acts of gratitude and generosity.

For the Women's International Zionist Organization (WIZO), I set the course for the organization to move its annual fundraiser from a fashion show luncheon to a gala dinner event. For this premiere gala dinner, I contacted Schindler's List author Thomas Keneally, and signed him as the guest speaker.

Then I contacted Oskar Schindler's widow, Mrs. Emilie Schindler, who was 86 years old and living in Argentina. I invited her to Miami to be honored at the dinner and reunited with fifteen Schindler's List survivors.

The media campaign that I executed for this event generated unprecedented national and worldwide television and print media coverage for the organization.

With Hashem's open and visible help and blessings, the gala was the organization's most successful fundraising event in its U.S. history, and generated a 300% increase in revenue over any prior event. An entire team of volunteers ensured Mrs. Schindler was honored with joy and gratitude.

"In seven short weeks you accomplished what would have taken any other committee a good twelve months to organize. It is astounding!  The organization and camaraderie that existed between your committee members impressed us enormously...

"Your initative in picking up the phone to invite Mrs. Schindler in the first place was remarkable, and your persistence really paid off ... you succeeded in raising $100,000 for WIZO - the biggest fundraising success for one evening, in WIZO USA history...

"The media coverage was unprecedented! 27 minutes of air time, and 4 hits in The Miami Herald, let alone all of the local print media!...

"Your event really put WIZO on the map in the community, and we will continue to capitalize on the momentum...

Mercedes Ivcher, President - WIZO
in a post-event letter to (aka Lesley Kruger)

Mrs. Schindler arriving at Miami International Airport

Press Conference, with Schindler's List Survivors &
WIZO Gala Dinner Committee

[Left] Mrs. Schindler surrounded by Jewish Survivors of the Holocaust
& [Right] Mrs. Schindler surrounded by Jewish Zionist Activists

[Left] Mrs. Schindler meets Schindler's List Author
Thomas Keneally
& [Right] receives an inscribed plaque
acknowledging her heroism and gifts to humanity

A personal note I received from Mrs. Emilie Schindler's companion
Mrs. Eleonor Matzner who traveled with her husband
First Class complimentary of Jerry Allen Travel
to escort Mrs. Schindler to Florida for a
Gala Dinner in Her Honor
that Reunited Mrs. Schindler
with 15 Holocaust Survivors
and at the same time brought peace to the discord between
The Book's Author, Thomas Keneally from Australia
and the Widow of Oskar Schindler
​May 1994

Immediately after the gala dinner, I was invited to the 
annual worldwide WIZO conference in Israel, 
to speak about the success of the
Schindler's Night event

Following the success of WIZO's Schindler's Night Gala Dinner, I  publicized the subsequent event featuring Miep Gies who sheltered Anne Frank and her family from the Nazis, and author of In Hitler's Shadow, Yaron Svoray who went undercover to draw out Neo-Nazis in Germany and the U.S.

Leah with Miep Gies who hid and sheltered Anne Frank & her family, and later discovered Anne's diary.