MSHEF Named Charity Partner for NYC and Philadelphia Marathons
News related to:Mark Schonwetter Holocaust Education Foundation · 1 min read
The Mark Schonwetter Holocaust Education Foundation (MSHEF) has been named the 2026 charity partner for the TCS New York City Marathon and the Philadelphia Marathon Weekend. This partnership aims to raise critical funds for Holocaust education in schools nationwide, with a focus on expanding access to this vital history.
Among the 17 runners joining Team MSHEF this year is Jared Fiske, a first-time marathoner and Tribe NIL All-American and Scholar All-American Athlete. Fiske, a grandson of Holocaust survivor Mark Schonwetter, is running to honor his family’s history and promote education about the Holocaust. His great-grandfather, Israel, was murdered by the Nazis on August 12, 1942, the same date Jared was born, August 12, 2004, 62 years later. For Fiske, running his first marathon for MSHEF feels like a full-circle moment, allowing him to honor his great-grandfather’s memory and celebrate his grandfather’s survival.
MSHEF’s mission is to promote respect, kindness, and anti-hate through Holocaust education. The foundation provides funding to educators and schools for a variety of educational initiatives, including field trips to Holocaust museums, classroom materials, guest presentations by Holocaust survivors, and more. These programs are designed to foster empathy, historical awareness, and a deeper understanding of the consequences of hatred and intolerance.
Since launching its Holocaust Education Grant Program in 2020, MSHEF has funded educators in 42 states and reached more than 253,000 students. Not every state legally mandates Holocaust education, and in many of the states that do, funding is not available to implement the mandate. MSHEF’s Holocaust Education Grants fill a critical gap, and the foundation has seen an 800% increase in grant applications since 2020, underscoring the urgent demand for support in teaching this history in today’s climate.
Team MSHEF’s runners will participate in the TCS New York City Marathon and Philadelphia Marathon Weekend, raising funds to expand access to Holocaust education nationwide. To learn more about MSHEF and support their mission, visit MSHEF’s website.