Our Team

PROGRAM & OPERATIONS COORDINATOR

RILEY MARTINEZ

Riley Martinez is an experienced administrator, program coordinator, writer and editor. Originally from Sacramento County, Riley received her Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Sciences in Humanities with a minor in Classics from San Diego State University. Throughout her career, Riley has placed special importance on self-advocacy and community engagement, and has maintained a deep passion for creativity, learning, and human connection and expression.

FOUNDER, MEMBER OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS, & EDUCATION TEAM CHAIR

Jan Landau

Jan Landau, TBP’s Co-founder, Board Member and Education Team Chair has over 30 years of experience as an elementary school teacher, principal and administrator. While working at San Diego Jewish Academy as Director of Family and Special Programs, she was looking for an age-appropriate way to bring Holocaust remembrance to the school. Inspired by the documentary “Paper Clips” and the poem, “The Butterfly” by Pavel Friedmann, Jan chose the butterfly, a beautiful symbol of hope and freedom, for children to make to memorialize the 1.5 million children who perished in the Holocaust, and as a tribute to her husband’s Holocaust Survivor parents. In 2006, she enlisted the talents of SDJA parent/artist, Cheryl Rattner Price, and together with other parent volunteers, created The Butterfly Project – originally known as Zikaron V’ Tikvah (Remembrance and Hope).

The Butterfly Project has provided me with the opportunity to teach about the Holocaust in a way that remembers that awful time, but also gives hope that future generations will learn to be more understanding and respectful of others. Judging from the feedback we have received from our students, telling of their commitment to make the world a better place, I am very hopeful that our goals of The Butterfly Project are being achieved.

In many ways, The Butterfly Project has given me the opportunity to pay my respects to those who perished in the Holocaust and to honor the Survivors.

Children of Holocaust Survivors are often referred to as ‘Second Generation.’ The Second Generation community has been somewhat hesitant to be the ones to share their parents’ stories, wanting to be respectful of the fact that the best people to tell of these experiences are the ones who have been directly affected by them.

Survivors numbers are dwindling because of their advancing ages. Most are unable to visit classrooms to tell of their experiences during the Holocaust. So, it becomes the responsibility of Second Generation to be the teachers about this horrific time in our family’s history. Why? So that dehumanization and mass murder will never happen again to any people.

It is my sincere hope that Second Generations and teachers everywhere will support the use of The Butterfly Project in classrooms in their communities as a way to keep the memory of their parents alive – – to have those who participate in the project remember the past, act responsibly in the present, in order to create a more peaceful future.

Jan and TBP’s Education Team develop curriculum, and present both in San Diego classrooms and those throughout the United States. Jan graduated from the University of Michigan and San Diego State with credentials in Special and Elementary Education. Jan was awarded the Channel 10 News Leadership Award in 2019 for her contributions to education in San Diego.

SECOND GENERATION & EDUCATION TEAM MEMBER

Sonia Fox-Ohlbaum

Sonia is a retired elementary school teacher who taught in the Santee School District for 37 years. She is a graduate of San Diego State University in Social Science. Sonia received a Master’s Degree in Psychology of Education, and was nominated Teacher of the Year for San Diego County and the Disney Educator’s Award.

I became involved with The Butterfly Project as a way to keep the Survivors’ stories alive. I was once told by a Survivor, “You weren’t there and should not speak for us!” As a daughter of Holocaust Survivors and an educator, The Butterfly Project has given me a way to be part of the Holocaust experience.

My parents are no longer here to tell their story and now I am their voice. I feel that it is my tribute to them that I carry on their stories, least they perish too! I am invited into classrooms all over San Diego County because of The Butterfly Project. As educators, we can reach out to younger children and lay the foundation for this piece of history. Painting the butterflies is a an excellent reminder to these young people that life is precious and should never be taken for granted. Our students have been touched by a piece of history that they feel they are now part of. To be able to tell my parents’ stories, have a child put on my father’s concentration camp cap has moved so many young minds. Though I’m not a Survivor, but a Survivor’s daughter, the students feel that we have brought history to them. We have made it real and it is an experience they won’t forget.

Rarely are 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders exposed to such a difficult subject matter, but through The Butterfly Project, we have been able to reach them with literature, vocabulary and personal stories. Whether our topic for the day is bullying or Holocaust they all come away knowing that they have painted something beautiful to represent a child, like them, that never had the opportunities that they have been given. They know that is now their responsibility to stand up for what is right, not be a bystander and make the world a better place. Painting a butterfly and signing their name as a participant of The Butterfly Project has had tremendous effect on them that they will not forget.

I know my parents are proud that they raised a daughter who will NEVER FORGET! We need The Butterfly Project as our introduction to the schools and our vehicle to reach their students.

SECOND GENERATION & EDUCATION TEAM MEMBER

Arlene Keeyes

Arlene Keeyes is a retired elementary school teacher who taught in the Lakeside Union School District and also served on the Board of the Cal Trans Preschool.

When The Butterfly Project began in 2006, Arlene started to use their literature-based lessons in her 3^rdgrade classroom. Only years later would she know what an impact this had on one of her former students.

As a senior at SDSU Heidi and her sorority sisters went on a trip to Europe. While there I received a message and video on Facebook of Heidi and friends at Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland. Her message said, “Mrs. Keeyes, we came here to learn more because of what I started to learn in your class.” This let me know that the lessons I taught had an impact on students. Even as early as 2006 my dream was to work as an educator with The Butterfly Project. The opportunity came in 2013 when I retired from teaching in Lakeside. Jan Landau, Co-founder of TBP asked me to join her in forming an Education Team. I couldn’t have been more overjoyed.

My parents who were Holocaust Survivors are no longer alive, but I know they would have been very proud that I am carrying on their legacy and that of the six million others who perished in the Holocaust. Not only am I able to teach the lessons of the Holocaust to upper grade students all over San Diego County and various classrooms around the US, but I’m also able to tell the personal stories of my parent’s time during WWII. Something else that is taught to students is the importance of being an Upstander, someone who stands up for the rights of others who are not able to do it for themselves to help make the world a more peaceful place. The painting of a ceramic butterfly at the end of a lesson is a physical way to express their feelings. Students also sign their name as a participant of The Butterfly Project to remember the past, act more responsibly in the present, and to help create a more peaceful future. They come to realize they have a responsibility towards others and are now equipped to go forward and be an example for others.

I’m proud to teach The Butterfly Project and convey the important lessons of gratitude, hope and resilience that we all need in today’s world.

Arlene Keeyes studied at San Diego State University, Point Loma Nazarene University and National University. She holds a BS degree in Child Development and a Masters degree in Educational Technology.

FOUNDER / FOUNDING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

CHERYL RATTNER PRICE

Cheryl Rattner Price has over 40 years experience in ceramics, sculpture and architectural design, creating monumental public art that brings communities together for a cause. Cheryl works strategically in her role as Co-Founder and Strategic Advisor to The Butterfly Project to create public and private partnerships with an emphasis on the healing power of art and memorial making to build connection and community. Passionate about art, education and tolerance, Cheryl’s role with The Butterfly Project has expanded globally, working with educators in Poland, Germany and Israel.

Cheryl leads educational and art workshops with teachers, students and the public locally and nationally reflecting the values of the community. She has facilitated Holocaust Survivor and 2nd Generation relationships with educators and students, and led to the launch of The Butterfly Project’s traveling and permanent interactive exhibits.

Cheryl has presented The Butterfly Project at numerous conferences and workshops including Partnership for Excellence in Jewish Education Conference (PEJE) Boston, MA, Anti Defamation League (ADL) Holocaust Education Conference and No Place For Hate Schools in San Diego, CA, Jewish Educators in Day Schools Conference (RAVSAK) Houston, TX, Museum of Tolerance Steps to Tolerance Program, Los Angeles, CA, Galicia Museum, Butterfly (MOTIL) Workshop Krakow Poland, National World War II Museum Family Day Butterfly Painting New Orleans, LA, Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust, San Diego History Center, Facing History workshops in Los Angeles and San Diego, POLIN Museum of the History of the Polish Jews with The Olga Lengyal Institute (TOLI) Warsaw, Poland, Bewegte Grundschule Cottbus, Germany, JCC Global Jerusalem, Israel, Beit Hatfutsot (Museum of Jewish Peoplehood) Tel Aviv, Israel.

Cheryl holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Alfred University, New York State College of Ceramics. National Juried Shows include CLAYUSA, Radford University, VA, Trenton State Museum NJ, Hoadley Gallery, Lenox MA, Worth Gallery Taos, NM,

Monumental mosaic and sculpture in San Diego by Cheryl includes Carmel Knolls Neighborhood Park, Ashley Falls School, San Diego Jewish Academy, Torrey Hills Elementary School, Sage Canyon School, Carmel Del Mar School, and Torrey Hills Shopping Center and historical 3D murals at Jewish Family Services and Congregation Beth El, both in San Diego.

Cheryl has coached other artists to create murals and sculptures in numerous cities and countries including Los Angeles, CA, Charlotte, NC, Tucson AZ, Brooklyn NY, Sderot, Israel, Bondhi Junction, Australia, Mexico City, Mexico, and Montevideo Uruguay.

MEMBER OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS & PROGRAM CHAIR

JONATHAN SHULMAN

“In a free society, we have the constitutional right to say, within limits, what is on our minds. As such, we can make the choice to speak truth or falsehoods, to speak laudably or to speak reprehensibly. It is our obligation to listen to what others have to say but then to seek out the facts on the situation and to respond in a way that recognizes our own and well as others’ dignity. The very existence of our fragile democracy depends upon our ability to do this.”

As the founding Director of the Center for Excellence in Citizenship at La Jolla Country Day School and formerly as the History Department Chair, Jonathan Shulman is passionate about promoting civic engagement. He has actively developed partnerships with civic organizations, including the San Diego Diplomacy Council, the San Diego History Center, Friends of Balboa Park, and the Voice of San Diego, and he coordinates off-campus and travel opportunities for students. Jonathan is Head Teacher-Coach of the Torrey Mock Trial Team, a program that has come to be recognized as one of the best in San Diego County.

Having grown up outside Washington, DC, Jonathan graduated with a BA in Political Science from Tufts University and a Masters in War Studies with distinction from Kings College London. He was the first K-12 educator to be elected the President of the California World History Association, and he has served as an AP World History Exam Reader for the College Board since 2010 and a Table Leader since 2017. Jonathan has spent the last 25 years with Summer Discovery directing academic programs for high school students on university campuses including Brown, Georgetown, Johns Hopkins, and Northeastern Universities and the Universities of California at San Diego and Santa Barbara.

In 2018, Jonathan was recognized as Educator of the Year by the La Jolla Rotary, and he received the Charles Redd Center Teaching Western History Award from the Western History Association in San Antonio. In 2019, the Center for Excellence in Citizenship was honored by the San Diego Diplomacy Council with the Charles H. Hostler Diplomacy Award.

Prior to joining the La Jolla Country Day faculty in 2003, Jonathan taught at the American School of Milan in Italy, the Beijing Film Academy in China, and the Greenhill School in Dallas, Texas. He previously worked as chief of staff to the Appropriations Sub-Committee Chair in the Maryland House of Delegates.

A fanatical movie enthusiast, Jonathan was the co-producer and director of Minyan In Kaifeng, a documentary about the modern-day descendants of the ancient Chinese Jewish community. The film, narrated by Leonard Nimoy, played the international Jewish film festival circuit to great acclaim.

Operations Team

RILEY MARTINEZ

CHRISTINE TOMASELLO

DEBRA FELDSTEIN

Education Team

Jan Landau

Sonia Fox-Ohlbaum

Arlene Keeyes

Judi Gottschalk

Board of Directors

JAN LANDAU

CHERYL RATTNER PRICE

SHARLEEN WOLLACH

JONATHAN SHULMAN

AARON LANDAU

MARSHA BERKSON

ELANA RABINOWITZ