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Homeless Holocaust Survivor Leaves $100K Gift

By the Associated Press

Posted Aug 9, 2009 6:48 PM CDT

(AP) – Hebrew University has received a surprise donation of more than $100,000 from an unexpected benefactor—a woman who survived the Nazi Holocaust and appeared to be destitute, a university official said today. Upon her death 2 years ago, a homeless Holocaust survivor living on the streets of New York City willed the gift to the university. The Jewish woman lived out of a shopping cart in Manhattan and had no known relatives.

"She lived as a very poor woman. And when she died at the age of 92, it was discovered she had accumulated close to $300,000," says Yefet Ozery, Hebrew University's director of development and public relations. "She probably saved it to do good for the world and for the Jewish people." The money will be used to fund scholarships for medical research students, according to the woman's wishes.

The setting sun casts its glow over a scale model of Jerusalem's Hebrew University amphitheatre at the Mini Israel model park July 23, 2003 in Latrun, Israel.
The setting sun casts its glow over a scale model of Jerusalem's Hebrew University amphitheatre at the Mini Israel model park July 23, 2003 in Latrun, Israel.   (Getty Images)
A homeless woman arranges boxes as a bed on the steps of the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian church November 16, 2004 in New York City.
A homeless woman arranges boxes as a bed on the steps of the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian church November 16, 2004 in New York City.   (Getty Images)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 7 comments
Mr.C
Aug 10, 2009 12:00 PM CDT
You don't have to look too far from where I am. Some simply keep it quite.
wwwonderer
Aug 10, 2009 8:55 AM CDT
Maybe it was a situation where surviving something like the holocaust and America's perception of homelessness were not that different. At least that's my concept anyway.
luluzz
Aug 10, 2009 7:21 AM CDT
Without her family money meant nothing. So sad.

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