With a 2-year old son and $75 in their pockets, Sig and Ilse Sander fled Hitler’s Germany and arrived in New York in 1938. America was their only option to get out of Germany and Sig’s Aunt’s affidavit allowed them to come here. Thanks in large part to Temple Sholom in Springfield, Sig and Ilse moved to Springfield later that year with very little. Over time, Sig started his accounting business, which later became Sander, Shifman and Brannick, and was very successful. They were always appreciative for what Springfield had done for them and had a wonderful life here.

In December 1984, Sig and Ilse celebrated their 50th wedding Anniversary. Sig remembered it was custom in Europe when a Jewish Father married off a daughter, he would throw a big party and invite poor people in town as guests. Since they were married during Hitler’s reign, they didn’t have a big party. But when their 50th Anniversary rolled around, Sig wanted to do something big. They had a service at the Temple with lots of friends and they were married again! This is when they began the tradition of a Festival Dinner at Elderly United for those less fortunate than them.

In 1988, Sig, Ilse and a small group of friends donated money to the Foundation to create a designated fund that would provide for this annual dinner far into the future. Sig never wanted any publicity for starting the Festival Dinner. But after his passing in 1993, Ilse and their children thought that he needed some recognition. So, the Festival Dinner Fund was renamed to the Sig and Ilse Sander Festival Dinner Fund was created.

Establish your fund. For more information, contact at 937.324.8773.