An Interview with Stanley Bronstein
There were days I felt the weight of it all — the responsibility, the sadness, the urgency — and wondered if I was the right person for this. But every time I sat across from a survivor and saw the gratitude in their eyes, I knew: even if I didn’t have all the answers, I had the heart. And sometimes, that’s where the real leadership starts.
As part of my series about “individuals and organizations making an important social impact”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Masha Pearl
Since becoming the Executive Director of The Blue Card in 2014, Masha Pearl has dramatically increased donor support for the charity that not only helps elderly Holocaust survivors meet basic needs but serves as a bulwark against antisemitism. Under her leadership, The Blue Card has become active in 35 states, providing more than $30 million to survivors, and in January 2025, was recognized by New York City for its work on behalf of survivors with a Mayoral Proclamation.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?
In my case, it was a connection to the Holocaust with my family, all of my grandparents were victims of Nazi persecution. That’s what drives me to get up every day, do this work, and know that it’s such an urgent mission.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading your company or organization?
I collaborated with hardware and software tech developers and a prominent documentary filmmaker to develop a pioneering AI-driven, interactive portable 3D hologram display that can go into classrooms, allowing students to hold virtual conversations with Holocaust survivors. It’s the first time this immersive technology is being used within schools and youngsters are now able to speak to our first subject, a 99-year-old survivor. Through this project, we can not only preserve the voice and experiences of an elderly population that lived through such a dark period in history, but we will have a major impact on Holocaust education. We’ve been working on this for more than a year and to finally see it come to fruition is incredibly rewarding.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
The Yiddish proverb, “Man plans, God laughs,” comes to mind. I was arranging a fundraising gala and was sure that we weren’t going to be able to fill the 400-seat venue. I was wrong, very wrong. The good news: we had 600 wanting to attend. The bad news: where was I going to seat 200 VIP donors. Putting them in an overflow room to watch the festivities on a screen was going to be a disaster. We did a lot of last-minute scrambling to come up with a new space the night before the event. It taught me to block out limiting thoughts and understand that if we put the right elements together — a good cause, a compelling program, great honorees — then the sky’s the limit. So, if you build it, they will come.
Can you describe how you or your organization is making a significant social impact?
Every day, The Blue Card is directly affecting needy Holocaust survivors, providing them with financial, medical and emotional assistance so they can live out their remaining years with dignity and respect. With our help, someone can pay their monthly rent, see a dentist, buy weekly groceries. The Blue Card is also fighting back against rising antisemitism by working with schools to strengthen Holocaust educational programs.
Can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted or helped by your cause?
One of our clients was a 97-year-old woman, someone quite isolated and lonely, who played the mandolin. Her decades-long wish was to perform on stage. We arranged for her to fulfill that dream at a gala we were holding at Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall, since renamed David Geffin Hall. Despite age and infirmity, she delighted everyone with her playing and singing songs in both Yiddish and Russian. Surprisingly, her biggest fear wasn’t going on stage before hundreds of people but rather choosing what to wear on this momentous occasion in her life.
Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do to help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?
First, contribute financially to help Holocaust survivors. Of the several thousand households we serve, more than half of them fall 200% below the federal poverty line, meaning their income is less than $24,980 annually. Our organization is a lifeline for those struggling to meet the most basic of needs.
Number two is help us raise awareness that, because of the physical and mental traumas they endured, many elderly survivors often have unique needs, including PTSD and higher rates of chronic diseases and illnesses than their peers who did not live through these unspeakable atrocities.
Finally, I’d like them to get behind our efforts to use the experiences of survivors to educate future generations about the Holocaust and antisemitism and support our fight against hatred and bigotry.
How do you define “Leadership”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?
I believe the best leaders have a passion for what they do that’s contagious, that inspires others to dig deep as well. An effective leader also recognizes everyone’s individual strengths and talents and provides opportunities for team members to grow. I want people to feel free to follow their instincts without worrying about mistakes or having someone micromanaging their every move. We recently launched our survivor hologram educational program and one of our staff members stepped forward to take charge of the logistics involved in organizing use of the ground-breaking display in schools throughout NYC. She really made the project her own.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.
1. You’re not just building a program — you’re building trust.
When I first started, I was so focused on designing impactful services and raising funds that I underestimated how essential trust is, especially when working with Holocaust survivors. Many carry lifelong trauma, and for them to accept help, it has to come from a place of deep trust. I remember one woman, Rivka, who refused assistance for months. Only after visiting her regularly, learning about her family, and listening — really listening — did she open the door. From then on, she called me “my American granddaughter.” That was when I understood: impact begins with connection.
2. Burnout isn’t noble — it’s avoidable.
In the early days, I wore my exhaustion like a badge of honor. I thought working myself to the bone proved how much I cared. But the truth is, I was becoming less effective, and my team felt it too. It wasn’t until a staff member gently said, “You take care of survivors — who’s taking care of you?” that I realized sustainability isn’t just about budgets; it’s about balance. Now I prioritize wellness for myself and my team, and our work is stronger because of it.
3. Be ready to wear a hundred hats — but take a few off when you can.
Founding and running a nonprofit is like being the CEO, janitor, therapist, and cheerleader — sometimes all in one day. I remember stuffing envelopes for a fundraising gala while on a call with a major donor, trying to sound polished while knee-deep in glitter. It taught me resilience and resourcefulness — but also the importance of delegating when possible. Investing in a strong team isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity.
4. Numbers tell one part of the story — human faces tell the rest.
Donors love metrics, and rightly so. But early on, I realized that what moved people most weren’t statistics — it was stories. I’ll never forget a donor who wrote a large check after I shared a simple story about a survivor who had never celebrated her birthday until we surprised her with cake and candles at 92. That story, not the spreadsheets, made her feel the mission in her bones.
5. You will doubt yourself — and that’s normal. Keep going anyway.
There were days I felt the weight of it all — the responsibility, the sadness, the urgency — and wondered if I was the right person for this. But every time I sat across from a survivor and saw the gratitude in their eyes, I knew: even if I didn’t have all the answers, I had the heart. And sometimes, that’s where the real leadership starts.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
Each day, find a way — even it’s doing something small — to make a difference. From my perspective, my cause is time limited because the number of survivors is decreasing every day and that puts a fire under my belly. But it also serves as a reminder not to postpone life until tomorrow, to act today. I encourage everyone to embrace their power and use their voice and influence to make each day count in the work they do and the causes they support.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
The Greek stoic philosopher Epictetus said “Demand not that things happen as you wish, but wish them to happen as they do, and you will go on well.” Life will not always work out as you like and finding ways to accept and adapt to the reality of a situation is essential. As the executive director of a small charity, I need to be both a dreamer and a pragmatist.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
Oprah — Really who wouldn’t want to have a private tête-à-tête with Oprah Winfrey. She exemplifies that idea of finding where your passions lie and has inspired generations of women to be true to themselves. I’m sure I could learn as much from how she has handled her struggles as from her astonishing successes. Oprah has a singular ability to connect with people all over the globe and from all strata of life. Given the number of people she has encountered throughout her life journeys, I’d certainly be curious about who really inspires her.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
They can learn more about our work at The Blue Card at bluecardfund.org and follow me at
@bluecard1934
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success in your great work!
About the Interviewer: Stanley Bronstein is an attorney, CPA, and author of more than 20 books. However, he doesn’t consider any of those his greatest achievement. His most significant accomplishment was permanently losing 225 pounds and developing the personal growth system that made it possible — The Way of Excellence. As a catalyst for change, he has dedicated his life to helping others maximize their potential, transform their lives, and achieve optimal health. To learn more, you can download a free PDF copy of his latest book, The Way of Excellence Journal, at https://TheWayOfExcellence.com.
Social Impact Heroes: Masha Pearl of The Blue Card on How They Are Helping To Change The World was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.