Mrs. Fanya Gottsefeld Heller is a noted Holocaust survivor, author and philanthropist. Mrs. Heller was born to a traditional Jewish family in Ukraine in 1924. During World War II, she and her family hid from the Nazis with the help of two Christian rescuers. Her autobiography, Love in a World of Sorrow (Devora Publishing, 2005), originally entitled Strange and Unexpected Love: a Teenage Girl's Holocaust Memoirs (KTAV, 1993), tells this story.

After the war Mrs. Heller emigrated to the United States where she pursued her studies in psychology and family therapy as well as philosophy, history and art.

Over the past ten years Mrs. Heller has received honorary doctorate from Yeshiva University and Bar-Ilan University. Her important contributions to the study of feminism, Judaism and Holocaust studies have made her a significant contributor and patron to many organizations around the world.

We view Mrs. Heller’s life story and activities as an inspiration for Jewish women and her wide range provide and enhance us constantly with new ideas and endeavors.   Her dynamic leadership in efforts to encourage women in Jewish public life led her to establish The Center for the Study of Women in Judaism in 1998 and we are grateful for her inspiration and support.

Mrs. Heller lives in New York city with her family.