Elie Wiesel

Jewish author, teacher, activist and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1986. Shortly thereafter, Wiesel founded The Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity, whose mission is to "combat indifference, intolerance and injustice through international dialogue and youth-focused programs that promote acceptance, understanding and equality."The Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity: About Us

On February 26, 2009, Wiesel admitted his charity lost $15.2 million, and he lost all of his personal life savings with accused Ponzi scheme artist Bernard Madoff.New York Times: Elie Wiesel Levels Scorn at Madoff (February 26, 2009)

"And that is why I swore never to be silent whenever wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Sometimes we must interfere. When human lives are endangered, when human dignity is in jeopardy, national borders and sensitivities become irrelevant. Wherever men and women are persecuted because of their race, religion, or political views, that place must - at that moment - become the center of the universe."The Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity: Nobel Prize Speech