Imagine a young man named David standing in line at Auschwitz, waiting to be sent to his death in the gas chambers, estimating he has all but an hour to live. Then, in those final harrowing moments, American troops arrive to liberate the camp, and that young man survives.

Many years later, David, whose name has been changed for privacy, will live out his life right here in the Greater Philadelphia region and, like other Survivors, he will need specialized care and additional help as a senior citizen.

That’s where the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, in partnership with Jewish Family and Children's Services (JFCS) and the Seed the Dream Foundation, plays a critical role in ensuring Survivors are not only supported, but they are also truly cared for through a model that is grounded in trust and dignity.

Today, an estimated 800 Holocaust Survivors live in Greater Philadelphia, each with their own story to tell and their own unique set of needs that require specialized care as they age. Many are now in their late 80s, 90s, and even over 100, and they often face issues like financial strain, declining health, and isolation.

“We are really striving to do this from a trauma-informed standpoint,” said Steve Zakusilo, program manager of Holocaust Survivor Support at Jewish Family and Children’s Service (JFCS) of Greater Philadelphia. “All Holocaust Survivors went through extreme trauma in their lives, and to avoid retraumatization, we are looking at everything through that lens.”

That same philosophy is shared by KAVOD SHEF (Survivors of the Holocaust Emergency Fund) which works to address the unmet emergency needs of Holocaust Survivors during their later years of life. KAVOD SHEF was established in March 2019 by Seed the Dream Foundation in partnership with KAVOD.

Leveraging the funds raised through the Joseph Gringlas KAVOD SHEF National Fund, a special philanthropic national matching initiative led by Seed the Dream Foundation, KAVOD SHEF works with the Jewish Federation and JFCS to support the local Survivor community.

"The support provided through KAVOD SHEF is reaching Holocaust Survivors where it matters most, bringing dignity-centered care and essential resources into their daily lives,” said Dr. Marcy Gringlas, co-founder and president of the Seed the Dream Foundation. “Supporting our Survivors affirms dignity, restores hope and reminds each individual that they are seen, heard and never forgotten.”

Since its founding, KAVOD SHEF has fulfilled more than 156,000 emergency requests, providing groceries, rent assistance, utilities, medical equipment and home care to Holocaust Survivors.

With that support, JFCS can provide a wide range of services, from chore assistance at home to financial help for essentials like medication. But true care, Zakusilo emphasizes, means seeing the full picture: “We’re looking at the client as a whole: body, soul and spirit.”

Talia Kaplan, executive director of Seed the Dream Foundation, explained, “Across the Greater Philadelphia region, and nationally, the impact is far-reaching, ensuring that Survivors have access to vital support. Every request fulfilled is a promise kept, that their dignity is sacred and their community stands with them.”

Zenobia Fried, major gifts officer at the Jewish Federation, notes that this work is vital to “ensuring Holocaust Survivors have the resources they need to live out their remaining years with dignity.”

Fried emphasized that Survivors can often face compounded challenges, with many living in poverty with limited access to support: “Caring for those in need locally is one of our core responsibilities.”

Beyond JFCS and KAVOD SHEF, the Jewish Federation supports a broader network of organizations that provide essential services for Survivors, such as transportation, housing, mental health care and social programming.

In addition, the Jewish Federation’s Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) provides educational programming and advocacy opportunities so that the community and next generation can learn about the horrors of the past so that history does not repeat itself.

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Since 1901, the Jewish Federation has mobilized financial and volunteer resources to address the communities’ most critical priorities: Caring for Those in Need Locally, Supporting Israel and Global Jewry, and Securing a Vibrant Jewish Future. This includes organizations that fight food insecurity for the community-at-large and Holocaust Survivors.

To learn more about the Jewish Federation’s impact and our grantees, visit jewishphilly.org/impact.