For ten years, the David Labkovski Project brought Holocaust education to life through art, student voices, and human connections. In 2026, guests gathered to honor this legacy, reflect on its impact, and help shape the future of this vital work.
This anniversary event raised funds for DLP’s innovative, project-based Holocaust education programs.
Dr. Jane Willoughby is a dedicated educator and advocate for Holocaust education, committed to ensuring that its lessons are never forgotten and are meaningfully imparted to students across the United States and worldwide.
She began her career with a PhD from St. Bartholomew’s Medical College in London, later transitioning into the fields of biotechnology and healthcare—a journey that brought her and her family to San Diego.
Following her research career, Dr. Willoughby shifted her focus to education and curriculum development. She served as Vice President and Director of Education, Program Research, and Development at the Center for Initiatives in Jewish Education (CIJE), and previously as Director
of STEM Advancement (K–12) at the San Diego Jewish Academy.
Dr. Willoughby is deeply passionate about Holocaust education, viewing it as a vital tool in combating antisemitism and fostering empathy. She plays a national role in this field and serves on the board of the David Labkovski Project, which builds a living bridge between the Holocaust’s lessons and today’s world through the evocative artwork of renowned artist David Labkovski (1906–1991).
Dr. Willoughby lives in San Diego with her husband, Ingram Losner, and their two sons, Joshua and Joseph Losner.
Jill Harmatz Sanders is deeply committed to strengthening the Jewish community through her unwavering support for Israel and her dedication to fighting antisemitism. As a Political Chair for AIPAC in the Conejo/West Valley area, Jill leads a network of engaged advocates who work to strengthen the U.S.–Israel relationship with Congress. She organizes meetings and events with members of Congress to ensure that elected officials understand the importance of Israel as America’s most reliable ally in the Middle East. Jill’s leadership helps inspire others to use their voices in support of bipartisan policies that keep Israel secure and the U.S.–Israel bond strong—an issue she is deeply passionate about.
Jill also serves on the Advisory Board of the David Labkovski Project (DLP), where she is dedicated to advancing Holocaust education through the powerful artwork of David Labkovski. She is deeply committed to promoting awareness and understanding of the Holocaust—an effort that is more vital than ever, as education and remembrance remain essential tools in combating antisemitism and hate.
Jill also supports and fundraises for Foundation of the Future for Survivors and the Wounded, an organization created by two heroic brothers in Israel who survived the Nova Festival massacre on October 7. These brothers—who saved many lives that day by administering first aid—founded the organization to provide vital trauma and PTSD treatment for survivors and soldiers affected by the war in Israel. Jill’s support for this initiative reflects her deep compassion and commitment to helping those impacted by the October 7th tragedy.
Before dedicating her time to Jewish causes, Jill built a career in healthcare management. She spent 32 years at CareAmerica and Blue Shield of California, where she served as Vice President and Senior Director of Provider Contracting, overseeing negotiations with hospitals and large physician groups in Southern California.
Jill earned her Bachelor’s degree, as well as Master’s degrees in Education (M.Ed.) and Public Health (MPH), from UCLA. She is married to Bob Sanders and is the proud mother of two sons, Jeremy and Jonathan Sanders, and daughter-in-law, Brittany Bart.
In her spare time, Jill brings joy and community spirit as Co-President of the Trail Dusters Square Dance Club.
Scott Schmerelson knew when he graduated from high school that he wanted to become a teacher. The first member of his family to attend college, he graduated from Temple University with a B.A. in Foreign Language Education and soon began his career as a high school Spanish teacher in Philadelphia. In 1978, he moved to Los Angeles and joined the LAUSD family.
Scott’s commitment and service to the children of LAUSD began with 12 years at Virgil Middle School as a teacher, school counselor and Assistant Principal. He later became an Assistant Principal at Griffith Middle School in East Los Angeles for 5 years and the Principal at Lawrence Middle School in Chatsworth for 5 years. Scott retired as Principal of Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr. Middle School in South Los Angeles after 10 years of leadership that included significantly improving test scores, a deteriorated physical plant, and student, teacher and parent morale.
After almost four decades in the classroom, and school counseling and administration, Scott could not envision a retirement that did not include continuing to advocate for the future of public education in the second largest school district in the United States. In 2014, at the urging of colleagues and community members, Scott decided that he could make a difference for kids and for our neighborhood public schools, which he considers the heart of our communities, by running for School Board.
On July 1, 2015, Scott Mark Schmerelson took the oath of office as the duly elected LA Unified School Board Member representing Board District 3.
Scott has been a proud member of the Associated Administrators of Los Angeles, United Teachers Los Angeles, and the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers. He also served as the treasurer of the Middle Schools Principals’ Association and is currently the treasurer of the Cuban-American Teachers’ Association. He is a member of the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) and served a two year term as President of ACSA Region 16. He was past Executive Director of Region 16 which encompasses the entire Los Angeles Unified School District.
Bestowed on students who have worked tirelessly to engage their peers and communities about the dangers of antisemitism and the importance of bearing witness to history.
Lana Shargani, Palisades Charter High School
Gabby Paul, Oak Park High School
Evelyn Gelman, Oak Park High School
Maya Schwarz, Cleveland Humanities Magnet
Ingram Losner
Josh Losner
Joseph Losner
Jennifer & Robert Lopata
Sherry & Michael Raber
Paula & Stewart Brooks
Jeremy Sanders & Brittany Bart
Jonathan Sanders
Laura & Oswald Burstein
Randee Hilborne
Peter & Rene Maier
Dr. Erica Miller
Diana & Greg Turk
Paula & Avi Nudell
Caren Weakley
Lisa Rodunsky
David Labkovski Project 10th Anniversary Celebration Chairs
Lisa Lainer-Fagan
Debra Levine
Connie Marco
Leora Raikin
Labkovski’s “Tevye the Milkman” chosen by the 2026 Honorees Dr. Jane Willoughby and Jill Harmatz Sanders.
Past Honorees
Legacy of Hope Award
Sam Jamieson, 2017
Josh Shane & Gabrielle Vanderlaan, 2018
Connie Marco, 2019
Jeff Kobulnick, 2020
Lisa Lainer-Fagan, 2021
Jennifer Lopata, 2022
Beverly Brutzkus & Debra Levine, 2023
Avlyn Kotton, 2024
Courage to Educate in Holocaust Education Award
Gayle Nadler, Executive Director, Multicultural Learning Center, 2022
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, 2023
Ellen Bettridge, President & CEO, and Wanda Kowalczyk, Vice President Product Development
Capital Group CG Arts & CG Chaverim, 2024
Annie Soleymani, Marc Reisier, Darryl Pugh Jr., Julia McArthur, Nathan Isaacson, Effie Braun
Kathleen Sterling, Publisher, Valley News Group, 2024
Mark McKee, Head of School and President of Viewpoint School, 2025
Leadership in Holocaust Education Award
Stephanie Wolfson, DLP Founder & Former Director of Education, 2020
Dr. Holli Levitsky, Professor of English/Director of Jewish Studies, Loyola Marymount University, 2023
Dr. Marilyn Harran, Professor, Director, Rodgers Center for Holocaust Education, Stern Chair in Holocaust Education, Chapman University, 2024
Ellie Lainer Youth Leadership in Holocaust Education Award
Amalia Abecassis, 2022
Luz Adler, 2022
Aliza Lam, 2022
Rebecca Leeman, 2022
Katie Starobin, 2022
Madison Tomaso, 2022
Sophia Viorato, 2022
Romy Harari, 2023
Katia Lysobey, 2024
Sophia Small, 2024
Marissa Kalan, 2025
Eliana Pons, 2025
Lucia Selipanov, 2025
Jake Thomas, 2025
DLP Recognition
Jesse Gabriel, California State Assemblymember, District 46, 2019
Henry Stern, California State Senator, District 27, 2020
Bob Blumenfield, Los Angeles City Councilmember, 3rd District, 2022
880 S. Westlake Boulevard Westlake Village, California
Parking Details: Free parking.
