One of the biggest problems for 92-year old Holocaust Survivor Alexei, name changed for anonymity, was the staircase in his house. For months, Alexei struggled to leave his home for fear of falling down the stairs and injuring himself, only risking it for urgent medical appointments.
That is when KAVOD SHEF (Survivors of the Holocaust Emergency Fund), a partner of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia and Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Greater Philadelphia (JFCS), stepped in to help by installing a stair lift in Alexei’s house. Not only did this allow him to complete daily errands outside of the house, but it also granted him an independence he thought he’d lost.
“I feel human again,” said Alexei, who mentioned his eagerness to go down to the basement and do his own laundry again. “I feel like I can live and not look at those stairs as my enemy."
Alexei’s story is unfortunately a common one. Recent studies indicate that at least 30% of Holocaust Survivors in the United States live at or below the poverty line, drastically reducing their quality of life.
“This is an unacceptable reality,” stated Dr. Kelly Romirowsky, the Jewish Federation’s chief strategy and impact officer. “These Survivors should be able to live the rest of their lives with dignity and ease.”
As part of the Jewish Federation’s dedication to caring for those in need, the organization funds and partners with several organizations that combat issues that Holocaust Survivors and older adults face, such as food insecurity and accessibility limitations.
KAVOD SHEF is just one of these organizations which received funding from the Jewish Federation last year. KAVOD SHEF works with 34 communities across the United States, including the Greater Philadelphia community, providing them with funding to support their Holocaust Survivor programs. Through this initiative, Holocaust Survivors receive basic necessities and emergency support, including funding for medical needs, utilities, home repairs and rent assistance.
In an effort to sustain and increase these services, the Jewish Federation and Jewish Family and Children's Service (JFCS) have partnered to successfully raise $300,000 to support local Holocaust Survivors through KAVOD SHEF.
“Given the atrocities that Survivors have experienced and the courage it has taken to rebuild their lives, we believe that in their golden years, Survivors deserve a high quality of life, a sense of independence and the trauma-informed services necessary to age with dignity,” expressed Lisa Ney, program officer for JFCS’ Holocaust Survivor Support Program.
The funds raised through this collaboration between the Jewish Federation and JFCS will be matched 100% by KAVOD SHEF.
“I am so proud to support this critical program that will make a tremendous impact in the lives of local Holocaust Survivors,” said Susanna Lachs Adler, who generously donated to this initiative alongside her husband, Dean. “Our Survivors are a priority and deserve to know that any and all of their needs will be met, before they even have to ask.”
Like Alexei, this funding helped other Holocaust Survivors, such as Varvara – who received a new loveseat recliner to mitigate her pain levels when sleeping – and Andrzej – who received in-home caregiver services to address his advanced dementia while allowing him to live in his own home.
Alexei, Varvara, and Andrzej’s stories represent only a handful of the Survivors that the Jewish Federation, JFCS, and KAVOD SHEF have helped and continue to help.
“Holocaust Survivors have suffered unimaginable trauma,” Ney noted. “Our goal is to provide the necessary support so that each Survivor can remain living in their own home, creating a continuity of care that prevents possible institutionalization and retraumatization.”
Underscoring this need, the Jewish Federation prioritizes supporting Holocaust Survivors through various initiatives in Greater Philadelphia, Israel, and elsewhere around the world. This includes directly funding JFCS’ Holocaust Survivor programs.
“The Jewish Federation’s fundraising on behalf of Holocaust Survivors has allowed us to offer the important direct services that allow Holocaust Survivors to age with dignity, maintain community and share their stories for future generations,” Ney said.
Last year, there were 1,000 recorded times of Holocaust Survivors in Greater Philadelphia utilizing one-off and ongoing services supported by the Jewish Federation.
In addition to direct services, the Jewish Federation supports educational programs to ensure that Holocaust Survivors’ stories are not forgotten and that history doesn’t repeat itself.
“Whether it’s home care, socialization programs or a nutritious meal, Holocaust Survivors should want for nothing,” Romirowsky stated. “As the number of living Holocaust Survivors continues to decline with each passing year, I am proud of the work we do at the Jewish Federation to care for these individuals, letting them know that they are not alone.”
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If you would like to help Holocaust Survivors age with dignity, consider making a gift to the Jewish Federation’s Annual Campaign before it closes on Aug. 31 at jewishphilly.org/give.