Jewish delicatessen owner Warren Rosenfeld is looking to expand a community service project he began last year offering eighth graders all expenses paid field trips to the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C.

It was a Facebook post from January 24, 2024 when Rosenfeld explained that he and wife Dana had committed to sponsoring an annual trip for Snow Hill Middle School students, to continue for five years.

“This initiative was sparked by a heartfelt letter from a Snow Hill Middle School teacher, Kimberly Schreeve, with the full support from Principal (Matthew) Record, highlighting the need for such an experience but expressing concerns about funding,” the post stated.

“Moved by the request and recognizing the educational value of firsthand exposure to history, the Rosenfelds decided to step in and fund this significant journey for this year and for the subsequent four years.”

The trips would “aim to enrich students' understanding of world history and promote awareness of the Holocaust, its origins, causes, and its effects on the lives of its victims and their families,” the post stated, going on to explain the personal significance of the request to the area’s leading Jewish delicatessen owner.

“Warren Rosenfeld is the son of a Holocaust survivor, his deceased father, Hans, and the grandson of survivors. His great aunt and uncle were murdered at the Auschwitz concentration camp during WWII,” the statement continued.

Following Snow Hill Middle’s trip, seven additional schools participated, including Stephen Decatur Middle, Wicomico High, Mardela Middle/High School, Pocomoke Middle, Seaside Christian Academy, Sussex Academy, and Beacon Middle School.

Bus transportation, tickets, and food for about 1,000 students and chaperones cost an average of roughly $6,000 per trip, Rosenfeld said.

To pay for the trips, Rosenfeld contributed $30,000 out of his own pocket, raised about $7,000 on Facebook, and additional funds from donation cans in his restaurants.

One big assist came from the Jewish Federation of Delaware, which paid for that state’s schools making the trip.

Buoyed by last year’s response and feedback, Rosenfeld had hoped to extend the offer to about 15 additional schools in the coming year.

Towards that goal, he posted a social media request for middle and high school teachers and administrators anywhere on the Shore and in Sussex or Kent Counties in Delaware to call or email him to get placed on the list. He was immediately deluged with 50 responses, far more than he had expected, or which the fund, currently operated through the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, was able to afford. By July 10th, that number had risen to 70.

Again, Rosenfeld reached out on Facebook to share his dilemma.

“About half of the applicants are Delaware schools, and the Jewish Federation of Delaware has graciously stepped forward with $100,000 or more to help send the Delaware schools,” the post stated.

“For Maryland schools, I have $30,000 from outside funders and $30,000 in personal Rosenfeld’s funds. If there are any donors out there willing to help contribute to this project, or if a public or private foundation is interested in supporting this, donations can be made online" at Rosenfeld's Holocaust Education Fund  the post stated.

Donations can also be mailed and made payable to Rosenfeld Holocaust Education Fund, c/o the nonprofit Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, 1324 Belmont Street, Ste. 401, Salisbury, MD 21804, which is currently keeping and managing the fund.

To send every school that has applied, “realistically we need to raise another $125,000. Please forward this, and whatever you can do, even a few dollars, would be appreciated. This is so important right now, and, as my Dad was a Holocaust survivor, it’s a personal project to me. Thanks again. Don’t hesitate to DM me with questions,” the post stated.

For more information, Rosenfeld can be reached via email at Warren@RosenfeldsJewishDeli.com.