The Florida Holocaust Museum Announces The Loebenberg Humanitarian Award Honoree: Jason Schwartz

January 10, 2022 [St. Petersburg, FL] — The Florida Holocaust Museum announces The Loebenberg Humanitarian Award honoree, Jason Schwartz for his work on “Fragments: Portraits of Survivors” exhibit and capturing the expressions of memories of Holocaust Survivors. The award will be presented during their 2022 To Life Virtual Gala.  In 2003, the Loebenberg Humanitarian Award was established and named for Edie* and Walter* Loebenberg, whose dream to establish The FHM became a reality through their vision and philanthropy, as well as the support and generosity of community leaders. Each year, the Award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to The FHM and their vision, foresight, and dedication have furthered the Museum’s mission to recognize the inherent worth and dignity of human life in order to prevent future genocides.
Jason Schwartz’s “Fragments: Portraits of Survivors” is part of the permanent collection of The Florida Holocaust Museum. A sliver of time encapsulated in a photograph and a short, personal handwritten statement of triumph accompany each. “I survived… I beat Hitler” is just one of the testimonies that speak of the indomitable human spirit. This series of portraits represents a legacy for these survivors, their families, and their community.
To Life 2022 marks The Florida Holocaust Museum’s 30th anniversary. This one-hour online program will offer the opportunity to strengthen The FHM’s mission and remember the lessons of the Holocaust.
The online virtual event will take place on Thursday, February 3rd at 7:00 PM. To RSVP, please visit www.TheFHM.org/tolife and learn more about the program and honorees.
Thank you to our 30th Anniversary Presenting Sponsor: Xiaohong Sunny Zhong and Robert M. Cohen, Platinum Sponsor: John Picciano and Visionary Sponsor: Sandy Mermelstein and Kent “Scooter” Bontly, and all our other event sponsors.
Jason’s Artist Statement:
Photography for me is a form of visual poetry or music- I want people to be moved (cry) when they look at my work followed by thinking about the possible meanings that the image and text represent. If I haven’t elicited an extreme reaction whether it’s good or bad I don’t think I’ve done my job. I want people to remember and think about my images (even if it’s only one) long after they’ve seen them- that to me is a creative success.
Working with survivors is autobiographical for me- I share a very deep connection to the Jewish people and Israel- I see what’s happening in Israel today akin to what Hitler wanted and all of his predecessors who wanted to destroy the Jewish people. For me photographing and interviewing survivors is a perpetual reminder of what it means to be Jewish- to survive, defend oneself and flourish!
About Jason Schwartz
Jason Schwartz has been a location scout in the commercial film business for the last 22 years. A full member of the Directors’ Guild of Canada, his clients include Radke Films, Steam Films, Soft Citizen, Circle Productions, Skin & Bones, Suneeva, and others. Most recently he has worked on the tv series “American Gods”, “Designated Survivor”, “Impulse” and others. Additional clients include event planners, small to medium budget productions, corporate videos, web-based programming, special events, and guerilla advertising.
Jason specializes in (but is not limited to) locating modern and “retro-modern” residential homes and businesses for directors with a discerning eye for architectural detail and has an extensive library of readily available homes for a variety of production needs. His highly qualified team of scouts and managers provides professional and smoothly orchestrated locations management from start to finish. Other services include a full array of digital and web posting options, on-set photographic coverage, light studies, out-of-town scouting, and any other production-related needs imaginable.
About The Florida Holocaust Museum
One of the largest Holocaust Museums in the country, and one of three nationally accredited Holocaust museums, The Florida Holocaust Museum honors the memory of millions of men, women, and children who suffered or died in the Holocaust. The FHM is dedicated to teaching members of all races and cultures the inherent worth and dignity of human life in order to prevent future genocides. For additional information, please visit www.TheFHM.org
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