Fred Feran with his daughter and son-in-law, Maureen and Robert Freedland. To read the life story of Mr. Feran, who died in 2010, click on the image.In 2007, Maureen and Robert Freedland established this endowed fund in memory of their families and all others who perished in the Holocaust.
Maureen and Robert Freedland LPEF Fund for Studies of the Shoah
The fund has been established for the benefit of La Crosse Public School District students to advance their understanding of the “Shoah,” the systematic genocide against the Jewish people and other “undesirable” groups targeted for destruction by the Nazi regime in World War II.
Priority is given to educational activities concentrating on the Shoah (Holocaust) but related topics may be considered as long as a connection to the Holocaust is maintained.
The Freedlands established their perpetual fund at the La Crosse Community Foundation in 2007 to support studies in the School District of La Crosse. In 2015, they established a second fund to make Holocaust education available throughout the region, including for private schools. For background on the two funds, download this flyer from the La Crosse Community Foundation.
Shoah (Holocaust) Education Grant Application Form
Requests for the LPEF Shoah Studies grants are accepted throughout the year, but are limited based on available funding. You may want to contact the LPEF office prior to applying to determine if funding is still available. For more information about applying for a Freedland Fund Shoah Grant.
For School District of La Crosse employees and anyone with a Google account — Google Doc
NOTE: You will begin by making a copy of the document into your own Google folder.
Other applicants, including organizations outside the School District of La Crosse — Use this Word Document
NOTE: You will begin by downloading a copy of the document to your computer.
Staff in the School District of La Crosse have often received Freedland Shoah Studies grants to participate in the annual Viterbo Holocaust Educator Training.
Examples of recent Shoah Studies grants.
Students at Longfellow Middle School hold new books purchased in 2020 through a Shoah Studies grant supporting new curriculum.
Jean Feran
About Jean Feran
Holocaust survivor Jean Feran died in July 2016. Click here to read her inspiring story.
About Fred Feran
Click image for video story of Fred Feran.
Fred Feran died in February 2010. See his obituary here. To see an inspiring 5-minute video about Fred Feran, Olympic Torch Bearer, click on the image at right. Two days before heading to the 1936 Olympics in Berlin to run the 1500 for Czechoslovakia, Fred Feran (bearded man in center of photo) decided to join the multinational boycott of the Olympics. Instead, during World War II, Fred left home to survive. In 2002, he had the opportunity to run for the Olympics – carrying the Olympic torch through the French Quarter as it made its way to Salt Lake City for the Winter Olympics. Video produced by Scott M. Freebairn, Video West Productions, Salt Lake City, for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games.