Jason Holtzman
Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council, Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia

On Sunday, June 4, it was wonderful to be in good company with Holocaust Survivors and their descendants to celebrate Holocaust Survivor Day at the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia. This new annual holiday, which was officially recognized through proclamations issued by Governor Josh Shapiro and Mayor Jim Kenney, is an exciting one as it brings people together to joyously commemorate Survivors and the many achievements they have made rather than just looking at them as victims who endured unthinkable atrocities.

When thinking about a Holocaust Survivor, it is likely that people’s minds may jump to images of trauma, loss, and suffering due to the traumatic events of the war and the current struggles of disproportionate poverty. While it is important to be aware of this reality, it is also critical to not let it overshadow the humanity of Survivors and their roles in helping shape our community and nation. 

As a Third-Generation Survivor (3G), I reflect on the lives of my grandmother, grandfather, and great-aunts who came from Poland – a country where 3.3 million Jews resided before the Holocaust, but only 300,000 remained after the genocide. Despite the horrors my family experienced and the harrowing things they saw, they exemplified resilience and lived each day with great happiness. They met and married in a displaced persons camp in Germany, started a family there, and eventually made their way to America, where they built a successful life and a large extended family in Philadelphia. 

Being a descendant of Holocaust Survivors, I have a strong appreciation for life. In Jewish tradition, we have the value of celebrating life with joy, known as “L’chaim.” This value underlies the significance of Holocaust Survivor Day and why celebrating the miracle of survival feels more than appropriate. 

And while we await the next Holocaust Survivor Day to celebrate once again officially, it is essential to continue to recognize the contributions of Survivors – always. There are several ways we can do this: 

1. Support local organizations: Connect with the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) and the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia to learn about our work and ways to help Survivors. Last year, 45,497 Holocaust Survivors worldwide were served through organizations and programs supported by the Jewish Federation.
2. Visit museums and memorials: Take the time to visit places dedicated to preserving the memory of the Holocaust, such as the Philadelphia Holocaust Memorial Plaza. Bring groups to visit these spaces to honor Survivors and ensure their stories will not be forgotten. 
3. Support Survivor assistance programs: Get involved with local initiatives that aid  Holocaust Survivors, such as the Holocaust Survivor Support Program run by Jewish Family and Children’s Service (JFCS) Philadelphia, which helps Survivors age with dignity, safely and independently in their homes through holistic, comprehensive services. Another program is Seed the Dream Foundation’s Kavod SHEF (Survivors of the Holocaust Emergency Fund), an initiative launched to meet the urgent needs of our Survivors.

While it is critical to educate future generations about the Holocaust to try to prevent history from repeating itself, it is vitally important to recognize the joy that Survivors have brought into our lives, and that will stay alive through their descendants. 

By commemorating Holocaust Survivor Day annually, we can continue to learn from Survivors’ experiences, create a future where such atrocities are never repeated, and ensure that the legacies of Survivors are felt for generations to come. 

Today and every day, let us pay tribute to the Survivors who have taught us the power of resilience, the value of life, and the importance of cherishing each day. 

L’chaim!

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The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia is dedicated to preserving the memory of those who perished in the Holocaust, supporting those who survived and educating the next generation. Click here to assist us in this crucial work.