A special exhibit displaying memories from Lou Schotland’s life adorned the walls of Agoura Hills Senior Retreat last month when the 87-year-old retiree was honored as the assisted-living facility’s Citizen of the Month. Through photographs and letters, Schotland illustrated a life story that stretches from World War II-era Poland to Youngstown, Ohio.
Miraculously, the Holocaust survivor was able to reunite with his wife, Dorothy, after being separated at Auschwitz and began life anew in the United States. Although Schotland has never visited Israel, he is a passionate Zionist and speaks about his experiences during the Holocaust at schools and universities.
But that’s not all: Schotland is known to stand in as a surrogate rabbi, helping lead Shabbat services each Friday at the Agoura Hills retirement facility.