Charity help for childless couples inspired by Shoah survivor’s story

A charity funding Jewish couples struggling to conceive has announced funding for seven couples in seven cities around the world, including London.

JRoots raised the money in honour of Holocaust survivor Leslie Kleinman for his 90th birthday, after he told visitors to Auschwitz how he survived but his seven siblings did not.

The campaign, called ‘Life 4 Life’, raised £36,000 for Jewish fertility charities in seven different countries.

The UK recipient is the charity Chana. The other beneficiaries include Bonei Olam, which has clinics in New York, Los Angeles and Montreal, as well as Merkaz Panim in Israel and Malka Ella in South Africa.

“JRoots wanted to find a special way to mark Leslie’s 90th birthday,” said a charity spokeswoman.

“As well as paying tribute to his committed life of contributing and giving to the Jewish people and being an inspiration to the thousands of participants who have heard his story and visited Auschwitz with him.”

JRoots co-founder Rabbi Naftali Schiff said: “Leslie has committed himself to educating others and inspiring Jewish life in spite of the Holocaust.

“The campaign was a small way to pay tribute to Leslie and his siblings whilst also having an incredible opportunity to help create life.”

Chana social worker Carolyn Cohen said: “As a result of this funding, Chana will be able to take the memories of the past to help a couple create memories for the future.

“We know that the successful creation of a new life will begin a new family root system and perpetuate the memory of Leslie Kleinman’s seven lost siblings.”

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