Announcing the Mark Schonwetter Holocaust Education Foundation

Ann Schonwetter Arnold, author and chief strategy officer of Buyers Intelligence Group, and Isabella Schonwetter Fiske, owner of ISF Jewels, have created the Mark Schonwetter Holocaust Education Foundation, in honor of their father, owner of Lieberfarb and a Holocaust survivor.

With the objective to educate students on how the Holocaust’s past relates to the present and future, the foundation seeks to provide the funds necessary for educators to implement the necessary curriculum in their lesson plans, through educational materials, field trips, speakers, assemblies, and programs.

Mark Schonwetter survived the Holocaust as a young boy in Poland by hiding in forests and in the homes of Polish families with his mother and sister. After coming to America in 1961, he swept the floors at a jewelry factory, learning English and climbing the ranks to become factory manager in just five years. Five years after that, Schonwetter purchased Lieberfarb, turning it into a successful ring and bridal jewelry company over the 40 years in his ownership.

After retiring a few years ago, Schonwetter has been sharing his story with both adults and students all over the Northeast, learning of the Holocaust education budget restraints that schools face—hence the foundation, to help schools bring these lessons to their students.

For more information, visit mshefoundation.org.

IIJS Signature 2020 Show to Host Design Pavilion

The India International Jewellery Show has announced that its 2020 event—the 13th edition—at the Bombay Exhibition Centre in Mumbai will host a special Design Pavilion, featuring the works of nine women entrepreneurs and jewelry designers.

“As an endeavor to encourage design talent and entrepreneurship, this time we have created a special Design Pavilion,” said GJEPC chairman Pramod Agrawal, in a statement. “GJEPC has offered nominal rates for these participants, with an aim to bring forth such design talent.”

So far, IIJS has attracted more than 10,800 pre-registered visitors, numbers reportedly 261% higher than 2019, with a second phase of registration ending in mid-January.

The show is timed with two significant events—Design Inspirations, a seminar featuring both Indian and international speakers from the fashion, jewelry, and retail sectors; and the Artisan Awards, the 2020 theme of which is Architectural Gems, honoring nine winners for their work based on Art Deco, Islamic arabesque, and neo-futurist designs.

IIJS Signature will run February 13–16. For more information, visit iijs-signature.org.

Top, from left: Ann Arnold, Mark Schonwetter, Isabella Fiske, and Luba Schonwetter

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