Hello friends,
As you may know, I am the granddaughter of Holocaust survivors. Today, 70 years after the Holocaust ended, I am dismayed to know that thousands of Holocaust survivors are still struggling to keep food on the table.
There are 193,000 Holocaust survivors living in Israel today. Over 50,000 of them live below the poverty line. It’s disgraceful. They survive on state benefits, and must decide between using their meagre monthly budget for food, medication
or medical care. 37 survivors pass away each day. That means one survivor passes away every 38 minutes.
While this is very upsetting, the good news is that it’s SO EASY to make an impact. For example, just $75 can feed a survivor during Passover. These efforts are being led by
The Foundation for the Benefit of Holocaust Victims in Israel – the primary organization caring for the needs of Holocaust survivors in Israel. Established in 1994, they serve over 70,000 survivors each year and receive over 500 calls a day
from survivors seeking help.
Here are some of the ways they are making a difference:
·
Food vouchers ($75 covers food for a holiday)
Legal aid ($100 gives a survivor access to legal counsel)
"Lonely but not Alone" program ($500 brings a volunteer to a survivor every week)
·
“Connected” program ($880 gives a survivor a new computer with Internet access, along with a volunteer who teaches them how to use a computer)
· “Live in Dignity” program
($2-3,000 is average cost to renovate an apartment to improve quality of life)
· Social worker visits
·
Eyeglasses, hearing aids, walkers, dental care, certain medications
(all of which are not fully covered by Israel’s medical and welfare services)
·
Clubs that provide social and physical activities
·
Payment of debts, municipal taxes, water and electricity bills
·
Monthly financial support
Here's a picture of a Holocaust survivor's bathroom prior to renovation:
Here's how it looks after renovation:
Who are these survivors?
Most of the Holocaust survivors in Israel came from eastern Europe and were either in concentration camps or displaced persons. They are now elderly and many lack family support systems. 40% of survivors
are single, and most are widowed. 19% have no children, or children whom they see less than once a month. 25% of survivors live alone. The rates of isolation and loneliness are much higher among concentration camp survivors.
As Passover approaches and we reflect on our freedom, please remember that some of the very same survivors who kept our traditions alive during the worst of times are truly struggling and need your help. Many survivors lack family support and
social networks, and live alone in dire physical conditions that increase their psychological distress and loneliness.
Please contribute whatever you can – every dollar truly helps.
Thank you and big hugs!
Libbie
