When USC Shoah Foundation held its first-ever Ambassadors for Humanity Gala sweepstakes, allowing one lucky winner and their guest to attend the 2016 gala and meet Steven Spielberg and honoree George Lucas, no one could have guessed that the winners would have so many remarkable parallels to USC Shoah Foundation itself.

New Jersey couple Alan and Reva Budman, a retired podiatrist and elementary school teacher, respectively, had entered a few contests on a whim. But they were shocked and thrilled when they received word that they had won the USC Shoah Foundation sweepstakes and would be traveling to Los Angeles to attend the star-studded gala.

“It was just insane that we won,” Reva said.

At the gala, the Budmans were introduced to George Lucas, his wife and fellow honoree Mellody Hobson, and USC Shoah Foundation founder Steven Spielberg in a private room before the event. Once they started talking with Spielberg, the three quickly realized how much they had in common.

Alan’s mother was a Holocaust survivor, for one thing, and Reva is an educator, which aligns with USC Shoah Foundation’s mission. Spielberg had also lived in the town next to theirs in New Jersey and had attended the same synagogue as the Budmans’ children.

“When we met Steven he grabbed us and said it was beshert, which is fate in Yiddish, that we won,” Reva said. “There were so many connections, that was the crazy part.”

Before meeting the VIPs of the evening, the Budmans explored the exhibits in the reception area showcasing all facets of USC Shoah Foundation, including its educational work around the world, innovative projects like New Dimensions in Testimony, and its genocide testimony collections. Reva was astounded by the breadth and depth of the Institute and its impact on people all over the world.

“I told everyone when we came home I’ve never seen people more dedicated to what they do. It was amazing,” Reva said. “I said I’ve got to do what I can do in my little part of the world with the USC Shoah Foundation.” 

In the two months since the gala, Reva’s passion for USC Shoah Foundation has only grown stronger.

Just a few weeks ago, Alan’s brother Simon suddenly passed away. But before he did, he gave Alan and Reva an audio tape of Alan and Simon’s mother, along with their father, telling her whole story of survival, which they had never seen before. Now, Reva is working with the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey to donate the tape so it can be used for awareness and education.

She also hopes to start working with USC Shoah Foundation as ambassador in her area, helping to spread the word about the Institute and its mission.

Between the Spielberg coincidences and the Budmans’ family history, Reva believes winning the USC Shoah Foundation sweepstakes was truly meant to be.

“It’s changed my life,” she said. “Now it’s my job to do what I can do.”