The Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County annually honors Middle School and High School students on Long Island who confront intolerance, prejudice or other forms of social injustice with the Friedlander Upstander Award. Winners receive a $2,500 scholarship. The 10th Annual Friedlander Upstander Awards will be presented at HMTC’s Annual Tolerance Benefit on Monday, May 4, at Westbury Manor, 1100 Jericho Turnpike, Westbury, NY 11590.
Due to the rise of hate speech, hate crimes and bullying on Long Island and nationally, those who make a difference in their schools and communities by acting as Upstanders are more important than ever. HMTC defines an Upstander as a person who stands up for others and does not allow bigotry, hatred or intolerance to happen without intercession. Every year the HMTC honor Middle School and High School students from across Long Island who have demonstrated the actions of an Upstander. The student’s action could be one of intervention or prevention, big or small.
Those who are interested in applying must be enrolled in a Middle School or High School on Long Island, have a brief nomination letter from a teacher, guidance counselor or other adult who isn’t a family member and must write a 500-word essay on what actions they have taken that make them Upstanders. Applications for the Friedlander Upstander Award are due Tuesday, April 7.
For the past ten years the Friedlander Upstander Award has been generously provided by the Claire Friedlander Family Foundation in partnership with the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County. The Claire Friedlander Family Foundation was established by Claire Friedlander, a Holocaust Survivor from Poland. The foundation supports local education, performing arts, healthcare and environmental nonprofits.
For more information, or to apply, contact Helen Turner, Director of Youth Education at HMTC, at 516-571-8040 or helenturner@hmtcli.org or visit www.hmtcli.org/friedlanderaward.
Story submitted by the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County.
