Message from Sousa Mendes Foundation - US

A Story of Humanity and Compassion!

Dear friend of the Sousa Mendes Foundation,

My name is Olivia Mattis, and I am privileged to be the President of the Sousa Mendes Foundation.  I am also a daughter and granddaughter of survivors of the Holocaust who were saved by the great humanitarian hero, Aristides de Sousa Mendes.

The Sousa Mendes Foundation has just concluded its second year of existence, and is growing by leaps and bounds. None of our initiatives would be possible without the support of our wonderful donors.

Please help us continue to grow.

We have held events across the United States and in Canada including screenings of the film Disobedience:  The Sousa Mendes Story and showings of the exhibit, These are my people!  The Story of Aristides de Sousa Mendes.
We have assembled an international research team that has identified nearly 3000 Sousa Mendes visa recipients individually by name — individuals and families who ended up in the U.S., the U.K., Brazil, Mexico, Canada, Australia, Israel and elsewhere.

“Helping to research and find families of visa recipients, most of whom did not know that they owed their escape to Sousa Mendes, is one of the most challenging and rewarding things I have done in my life,” said Della Peretti of our research team and Board of Directors.


Olivia Mattis with page from Sousa Mendes’ List and photo of Aristides de Sousa Mendes  
Photo Credit: Heather Walsh, Newsday
Newsday Article


We have shared the story of Aristides de Sousa Mendes over and over, and in so doing, have touched the lives of people of all ages and walks of life.
One young man, Eric Moed, was inspired by the Sousa Mendes story to provide relief to victims of Hurricane Sandy. “All in all, Aristides de Sousa Mendes taught me that while one may make a name by what he gets, one makes a life by what he gives,” he said.

We have received amazing local, national, and international press coverage from publications including The Canadian Jewish News, The Huffington Post, The Independent of London, Lusa Portuguese News Agency, The Montreal Gazette, Newsday, The Portuguese Tribune, The Toronto National Post, and more!
Please include the Sousa Mendes Foundation in your year-end charitable giving plans.
We are developing educational materials for young people, and are working hard to bring the exhibition and film to communities across the United States. We are laying the groundwork for a permanent museum and memorial. Our goal is to make Aristides de Sousa Mendes a household name as a shining example of compassion and conscience in the face of intolerable evil.

Please support us as generously as you can.
It's 100% tax-deductible (in the US ), and we are so grateful for your support.

We have major events scheduled throughout the coming year.  Highlights include:

Upcoming event on January 23rd at The United Nations, featuring a screening of the award-winning documentary film, The Rescuers, introduced by the filmmaker Michael King.
Screenings of the film Disobedience:  The Sousa Mendes Story at the East Bay Jewish Film Festival and the Houston Jewish Film Festival, as well as other venues across the country.
First-ever international reunion of rescued families in France and Portugal.
Children’s event at the Curious George store in Cambridge, MA, in honor of H.A. Rey and Margret Rey, who were rescued by Sousa Mendes.
Conference on “Portugal and the Holocaust” at the Center for Jewish History in New York.
Please make a fully tax-deductible donation to
the Sousa Mendes Foundation to support these ongoing efforts.

If you have not supported us before please consider doing so now. And if you already have, please consider doing so again.