Inquiry about the current status of operations at the Margot Friedländer Foundation, Mr Dreinhöfer?
In a poignant memorial service held at the prestigious Berlin Philharmonic on July 9, 2025, the Margot Friedlaender Foundation paid tribute to a remarkable woman whose life was deeply intertwined with Holocaust remembrance and Jewish culture.
Margot Friedlaender, a centenarian who founded the foundation at the age of 101, was celebrated by around 500 guests, including students, professionals, and individuals with personal connections to her. The guest list also included noteworthy figures like Dr. Karsten Dreinhoefer, the current chairman of the board of the foundation, who became involved with the foundation after meeting Mrs. Friedlaender as a patient.
The board of the Margot Friedlaender Foundation is a distinguished group, comprising individuals such as Monika Grütters, Mathias Döpfner, and Joachim Gauck, all of whom were assembled based on personal connections and shared interests with Mrs. Friedlaender.
The foundation's mission is threefold: to commemorate Margot Friedlaender and Holocaust survivors, to promote educational initiatives about the Holocaust, and to foster arts and culture related to Jewish history and remembrance. The Berlin Philharmonic event, which featured German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, suggests that the foundation is engaged in high-profile commemorations and cultural activities.
One of the foundation's ongoing projects is the Margot Friedlaander Prize, an annual award that encourages submissions to increase public awareness about the Holocaust and its implications. This year, the foundation received 320 submissions, a testament to its growing impact. The next award ceremony is scheduled for September 16.
In addition, the foundation is developing a second witness program, which involves trained moderators and ambassadors to continue sharing Margot Friedlaender's story and uphold her values.
The Margot Friedlaender Foundation was created to continue Mrs. Friedlaender's mission, as she realized she would not be able to continue visiting schools personally. The board works closely together to ensure the continuation of her mission, hoping to keep her presence alive in schools through modern technological means, such as computer-animated options.
The memorial service served as a tribute to Mrs. Friedlaender's life and activities, emphasising that her mission continues. As the foundation moves forward, it is expected to undertake educational outreach, art and cultural exhibitions, and support research or social projects related to Holocaust history and combating antisemitism. However, specific ongoing projects are not yet detailed publicly, and further details may require direct sources from the Margot Friedlaender Foundation’s official communications or announcements.
- Margot Friedlaender's centenarian life inspired a foundation focused on fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, relationships, pets, travel, cars, and shopping, reflecting her holistic approach to life.
- The Margot Friedlaender Foundation, an organization with a diverse board including individuals like Monika Grütters, Mathias Döpfner, and Joachim Gauck, envisions fostering educational initiatives in lifestyle areas beyond Holocaust remembrance and Jewish culture.
- Future plans for the Margot Friedlaender Foundation may extend to incorporating pet care, travel, and shopping experiences within their educational outreach programs, aiming to enrich the lives of participants and further Margot Friedlaender's mission.
- Aside from conducting annual prize competitions for people to share their stories, ideas, and perspectives on the Holocaust, the foundation is working on developing programs that will support the arts and cultural exhibitions related to fashion, food, home decor, travel, and cars.
- The Margot Friedlaender Foundation intends to collaborate with researchers, artists, and advocates to create and present a comprehensive collection of installations and events showcasing various aspects of lifestyle and culture, including lifestyle trends, food and drink innovations, home design, travel destinations, and car designs, as an expression of Margot Friedlaender's legacy and humanitarian values.
