Holocaust Remembrance: Remember Those Who Died; Honor the Survivors

"Never again." Those two words have become so familiar that we instantly associate them with ensuring the Holocaust never happens again. But what about those Survivors who are still suffering, nearing the end of life, and in need of our help right now?

The affirmative phrase, "never again" reminds us of our promise to help our remaining Survivors live out the rest of their final years--safely, and in dignity.

California has the second largest number of Survivors in the United States, numbering in the tens of thousands. In the Bay Area alone there are at least 1,000 Survivors who are living below poverty level, often struggling with the pain and complications of aging without family assistance.

To meet this increasingly critical need, Jewish Family and Children's Services has established The Holocaust Survivors Assistance Fund. The aim of the fund is to reduce isolation and hardship, provide skilled medical and home care, manage pain and help Survivors live with dignity in their own homes for as long as possible.

Holocaust Fund Receives Challenge Grant

To that end, JFCS' goal is to raise $500,000 a year for the next seven years--a critical window when our aging Survivor's needs will be at their peak. A donor has generously come forward with a $250,000 challenge grant for this year, providing a wonderful opportunity to have donations to this cause matched dollar for dollar.

Funds raised will go towards providing the full range of necessary support to Survivors, enabling them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life. Last year, JFCS provided one or more services to hundreds of Survivors: case management, friendly visits, therapeutic social programs, housekeeping and personal care assistance, hot home-delivered Kosher meals, emergency financial aid, nursing care, counseling, bereavement and healing services, transportation, home repairs, and information and referrals or restitution assistance.

The Need Is Growing

The number of requests for help from local Survivors will continue to increase as they face difficulties associated with advancing age. JFCS already has a waiting list of Survivors in need of assistance and, based on the national Jewish Population Study and U.S. Claims Conference projections, that need will continue to peak.

Moreover, it is anticipated that a number of "silent" Survivors who had not previously identified themselves as such, will soon be forced to reach out for help. Many are ill, have lost extended families, and may be entirely alone. For some, retirement and the end of their working lives have meant that long-suppressed painful memories are resurfacing. Losses that are considered common in the general aging population remind Survivors of earlier, traumatic losses. Those with dementia face even more complex psychological problems as survivors.

How You Can Help

$3.5 million ($500,00 annually for the next seven years) is needed so that JFCS can do all that is required to address the physical and socio-emotional needs of Holocaust Survivors. Your gift to the Holocaust Survivors Assistance Fund will help us to provide the following services for Survivors during this critical window of opportunity:

Palliative Care/End of Life Hospice Care - $420,000 ($60,000/year) to serve 30 low-income, isolated and terminally ill patients each year
The new JFCS Palliative and End of Life Care Program provides social services, medical care, pain relief and management, and spiritual support to those who are failing or dying. Services are provided by a registered nurse, a case manager with an advanced degree in gerontology, a rabbi/spiritual counselor, and a volunteer coordinator overseeing a cadre of trained JFCS volunteers.
Home Nursing Care - $1.68 million ($240,000/year) to serve 120 high-risk, low-income patients
When Holocaust Survivors reach advanced old age, many require skilled nursing care that greatly increases the cost of their home support services.
Case Management - $1.225 million ($175,000/year) to serve 110 isolated and frail patients
In the last two years alone, JFCS has had 222 new Holocaust Survivors registered for case management; an average of 44 new clients per quarter. Increased funding is needed to ensure that we have sufficient geriatric social work professionals to meet the needs of this increasingly frail population.
Therapeutic Social Programs - $175,000 ($25,000/year) to serve 50 additional clients weekly
Too often, seniors find themselves isolated and alone because of health problems, lack of transportation and few opportunities to gather with a group of people with similar histories and interests. This is particularly difficult for the large number of elderly Holocaust Survivors living in the San Francisco Bay Area. So JFCS created Café by the Bay as part of its Seniors•At•Home programming. It is a place where survivors gather at weekly social events not only to discuss Holocaust issues, but also to enjoy each other's company, live music and educational programs.

To become a part of this important Holocaust Survivors Assistance Challenge Grant, please contact Shabana Siegel at 415-449-1252 or shabanas@jfcs.org.

To find out more about Café by the Bay, and other Holocaust Survivor Services, visit the Holocaust Survivors Services page.