The eldest child of Mendel and Rose Fainstadt, Leon Wolf Fainstadt, was born in Dzhambul Kazakhstan, Russia on June 5, 1945.

His parents were natives of Poland and met in the Siberian Labor Camps. Mendel served as an Officer in the Polish Cavalry where they fought against the Nazi Invasion on horseback. The horses were not much of a defense from the Nazi tanks. After Poland was defeated, he escaped to Russia. The Russian Government at that time sent the Jews to labor camps in Siberia. Rose lost her brother initially when the Nazis invaded Poland. At this point, she gathered her parents and they escaped into Russia, which was the only avenue for departure. The Russians then transported them all by boxcar to Siberia, where most perished along the way, where Rose’s parents died as well.

Mendel and Rose barely existed for much of World War II. Leon was born after the war. Conditions, as they were, they were all fortunate to survive. With a hail of bullets being fired at them, they escaped with a group of American soldiers in a truck covered with leaves. The family traveled with the soldiers throughout Europe.

Leon Wolf Fainstadt

Mendel, Rose and Leon Fainstadt

Germany 1947

Memorial for Six Million Jews

Who Died in World War II

In 1947, they settled in Paris, France until Mendel died in 1950 at the age of 39. Shortly before Mendel’s death, he summoned young Leon to his bedside. He gave his five-year-old son a piece of bittersweet chocolate. Mendel explained that life would be a little of both; bitter and sweet. In addition, that Leon should embrace both sides of life with an open mind and an open heart.

Shortly after Mendel’s death, Rose again sought a new safe haven for her two young sons, Leon and his younger brother, Jack. They left France and immigrated to America via Ellis Island. They landed on the shores of the United States on Thanksgiving Day. Next, they traveled from New York to Los Angeles by train. Leon always listened intently to the vivid remembrances of the past joys and sufferings as told by his mother.

As a young man, Leon was a known talented singer and songwriter in Los Angeles. He was asked to create a musical group in 1968 to perform with the late Senator Robert F. Kennedy’s presidential campaign. The trio was called the "Sounds of Time", who traveled with the campaign where Leon learned to appreciate and admire, Kennedy’s great passion for children’s education throughout the nation.

The campaign ended abruptly with Kennedy’s assassination on June 5, 1968, Leon’s birthday. Kennedy campaigned against President Lynden B. Johnson in the Democratic Presidential Primary and won four out of five primaries. When Kennedy just finished his California victory speech in Los Angeles, he was shot by Jordanian nationalist Sirhan Sirhan. Bobby Kennedy died the next day.

Had he not been killed, it is said that Robert F. Kennedy likely would have been the 37th President of the United States. The spirit of the late presidential candidate still pervades Leon’s life and has guided his beliefs in the promise of education to this day.

As an immigrant who came to the United States via Ellis Island, New York City stood for freedom and opportunity to many immigrants as well as Americans everywhere.

"Sounds of Time"
Leon Wolf Fainstadt
1968 RFK Presidential Campaign
Ambassador Hotel, Los Angeles, CA

Sen. Robert F. Kennedy
June 5th, 1968

In 1975, the city of New York was in a deep financial crisis. The Federal Government and the City were at odds regarding a financial   bailout and rescue program. With dismay, Leon pondered the possibility of this majestic city falling into bankruptcy. Writing letters of support to Mayor Abraham Beame, President Gerald Ford, Felix Rohatyn (Municipal Assistance Corporation) and presenting them with a solution. This idea would involve a major television event to encourage people to support New York City as well as purchase bonds to put funds back in the city treasury.

President Ford responded, via a staff member, that he and his staff would present the information in a special meeting. Mayor Beame wrote back with appreciation and many letters arrived from various political figures and entertainers regarding their support for the city.

Leon then formed a corporation called "America Face The Music" .  At this time, billboards were then erected in New York City's Times Square and also in Los Angeles' Hollywood and Vine offering support and love for the Big Apple.

The letters and communications became the I LOVE NEW YORK campaign. A television show was tentatively scheduled. Many of the top performers in the entertainment industry sent support for any future show.

Later that year Leon went to Las Vegas, via a letter of introduction to meet with Frank Sinatra regarding the project. It was difficult to get through his staff and after  spending a night sleeping on the desert due to low finances, he was able to finally meet with Frank Sinatra. He was very kind and showed interest in appearing at the future show. After the meeting at Ceasar's Palace, Sinatra extended an invitation to his show that evening. The following three nights Leon was the guest of honor as  Frank Sinatra introduced him to the audience and displaying the poster for the proposed show.

After many months with the support of the major television networks, press and entertainment industry, the White House and the New York City negotiations were deadlocked with the City technically falling into bankruptcy. Leon continued his pursuit to rescue and support the city. The Hollywood Palladium was booked for a show at the end of the year and the tickets were printed. There was a great deal of press coverage and the organization continued to communicate with the Mayors office in New York.

Leon Wolf Fainstadt
New York City Revival Campaign, 1975

Near the Christmas Holidays , while preparing all the details for the show, the White House announced a bailout. The show was no longer necessary but the lessons learned have allowed Leon to move forward with other projects. The experiences that he had were tremendous and could never be taught in any educational arena.

One day the lessons learned will propel a special project forward. One of Senator Robert F. Kennedy's dreams was leveling the playing field in America so that all children could have equal opportunities. Education holds the key to true equality in this nation. Leon looks forward to supporting that ideal and following through with a program that he started with RFK's campaign of 1968. One man CAN make a difference.

The lessons learned supporting New York City will transfer to one that overshadows anything else. A nation and people united in their efforts to create support for Americas future. The children, all of the children  across this great nation will be supported by these efforts. In support for American education, all lessons learned will be applied.

Leon’s interest in studying art initially began at the age of 10 and was self-taught for much of his early years. He began to study art seriously at Cal-State Los Angeles. After marrying, he left Los Angeles, CA and traveled across the country to Wisconsin and then to Minnesota. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from the College of St. Theresa and from the University of Minnesota. During the course of his studies and working with the theater in Dudley Riggs Playhouse in Minneapolis, MN, he developed a talent for sketching in the dark.

Leon Wolf Fainstadt

His interest in Fine Arts at Cal-State Los Angeles gave him the opportunity to develop his skills and talents with his teachers and mentors, Ruben Trejo and Ray Hendler. The influence left a powerful impression upon his life. These mentors previously studied and versed with renowned artists such as Franz Klein, Jackson Pollack and DeKooning. The teachers spoke fondly of the Cedar Bar in New York City, where they caroused and debated art for many years; drinking and playing together in this cauldron of expression.

Fainstadt had the opportunity to study "Topeng", the Asian art of mask carving in the jungles of Indonesia. Master wood carvers who actually made their own very sharp carving tools directed the schooling in Indonesia. As the women danced in ceremony, the masks and clothing created the impression that even older women appeared to be very young.

Art transcends international boundaries and communicates in every language. Seeing life as multidimensional, his aim is to capture the essence of harmony, beauty and peace. Leon’s favorite model, as referenced in many of his works as JT, is his beautiful and exotic wife, Janet.

Leon considers himself a world citizen. Those close to Leon regard him as a Renaissance Man, with an innate sense of justice and goodness, a very imaginary and highly creative inner being.

Leon Wolf Fainstadt currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife Janet and their daughter, Rachele.