In his father's name

Bryan Zaslow, 32, lost his father, Ira, who was an assistant vice president at Lehman Brothers on the 38th floor of Tower 1 of the World Trade Center. Bryan used the death of his father as an opportunity not only to learn more about him, but to help the community at the same time.
Within a month after the attacks, Bryan had begun working to establish the Ira Zaslow Foundation, with the purpose of providing children a safe and encouraging environment in which to grow and play, acknowledging children who excel in academics and sports and promoting peace, fairness and understanding among cultures. The foundation's goals also include honoring the victims of the attacks and ridding the future of terrorism.
"Losing my dad was a catalyst to start the organization," Bryan said. "I felt it was important to keep him with me, and it felt incredible to start this to make a difference and to remember how great of a man he was. I also was able to learn about him on a grander level."
Bryan added, "We're finding children with needs and are helping them grow."
The foundation is run by Bryan, his brother Adam and his mother, Felice. They are adamant that the organization help kids living in impoverished areas, like the one in which Ira grew up in the Bronx.
The foundation has set up a Disney Summer Program for third- and fourth-graders. Ten to 20 students travel to Disney World, where they take part in youth education programs and go behind the scenes at the park. The two most important aspects of the foundation, Zaslow explained, are education and making kids aware of places they are not familiar with.
"Some of these children have never been on a plane or in a hotel before," he said. "It's a great experience for them, and when I receive letters from them, I get motivation to keep this program going."
With the support of family, friends and colleagues, Bryan plans to use the Ira Zaslow Foundation to help build memorials, provide crisis counseling, implement an academic scholarship in his father's name and take on other related projects in the years to come. It has established two scholarships, through the Fashion Institute of Technology and the Parsons School of Design. The foundation has also built a playground at Temple Hillel in North Woodmere, and set up two computer labs at schools in the Bronx. North Woodmere honored Zaslow by renaming his block - formerly Flanders Drive - Ira Zaslow Drive.
Membership in the foundation is free, and there are no guidelines for contributions. "Whether it's a nickel or a dime, any type of help that people may be willing to give, we're grateful for," Bryan said.
For more information on the foundation, go to irazaslowfoundation.org or call (212) 355-3197.
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