Founder of Tolerance Education Center dies

A Coachella Valley Holocaust survivor and founder of the Rancho Mirage Tolerance Education Center has died, according to Melisse Banwer, executive director of the Tolerance Education Center.

Earl Greif died in his sleep last week at the age of 90, Banwer told KESQ and CBS Local 2 Tuesday morning.

Greif was a champion to the issues of educating the valley youth about the Holocaust, sharing his stories countless times. He was born in Poland in 1925 and was moved into a concentration camp with his family when the Nazis moved into Poland.

He later escaped and moved to the Los Angeles area before retiring in the Coachella Valley in 1994.

Banwer said a memorial service will be held on March 6 at 1 p.m. at Temple Sinai, located at 73251 Hovley Ln., in Palm Desert. She is also planning a celebration of his life during the week of May 3, which would have been Greif’s 91st birthday.