It has been 80 years since the liberation of Auschwitz. Since that time, Holocaust Survivors have resided in and contributed to communities worldwide – particularly in Israel and the United States. Unfortunately, one of the unifying realities of this group of people is that they face hunger and poverty at a disproportionate rate.
 
That’s why the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia is committed to supporting the holistic needs of Holocaust Survivors through internal programming and through funding external services. 

“Even decades after the Holocaust, many Survivors continue to face profound challenges – including the heartbreaking reality of food insecurity,” said Chief Strategy and Impact Officer for Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia Dr. Kelly Romirowsky. “For individuals who have already endured unimaginable trauma, the lack of consistent access to food can deepen emotional and physical distress.”

The Jewish Federation, in partnership with Seed the Dream Foundation and generous donors, supports holistic services that address the all-encompassing needs of Survivors, while also focusing specifically on their food needs.

Operating its own Mitzvah Food Program (MFP), the Jewish Federation has four food pantries throughout Greater Philadelphia that help all of those in need, including Holocaust Survivors, by
providing them with fresh, frozen and non-perishable food through an innovative point system which encourages clients to make more nutritious selections. 
 
Last year, MFP served more than 7,000 clients, 106 of whom are Holocaust Survivors, with 1.1 million pounds of food, including kosher items. 
 
“Providing Survivors, both locally and globally, with nutritious food is a vital expression of our commitment to helping them live their remaining years with dignity and comfort, ” Romirowsky continued. “Programs like MFP, along with other initiatives supported through Jewish Federation funding, play a critical role in addressing this urgent need.”

To reach more Holocaust Survivors and address their nutritional needs, the Jewish Federation also extends financial grants to local organizations, such as the Jewish Relief Agency (JRA). 

By providing a regularly scheduled food distribution program, JRA mobilizes volunteers to pack and deliver 15 pound boxes of kosher food directly to doorsteps every month. 

“Our dedication to the home delivery of food and other critical supplies alleviates barriers that many Survivors face, such as the inability to leave the house due to illness or disability, a lack of transportation, or a lack of grocery stores within walking distance,” said Tara Cherwony, interim managing director at JRA. 

Other organizations supported by the Jewish Federation, such as Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Greater Philadelphia (JFCS), offer comprehensive services which also includes food assistance.
 
When JFCS’ client Eliza, last name withheld for privacy, did not have enough money to buy food, JFCS stepped in to provide her with a gift card for groceries. 

“It was an incredibly stressful and uncertain time,” said Eliza. “JFCS’ support meant so much more than just financial assistance – it gave me peace of mind and a sense of stability during a difficult time. I am beyond grateful for their kindness and help.”  
 
That “kindness and help” extends beyond gift cards. Through its Holocaust Survivor Support Program, JFCS provides clients with case managers to help them age safely and independently in their homes.
 
“As the cost of essential goods continues to rise, and Survivors age, financial support for this vulnerable population is becoming increasingly critical,” said Steve Zakusilo, director of Holocaust Survivors Services at JFCS. 
 
The Jewish Federation also collaborates with JFCS through KAVOD SHEF, a national program of Seed the Dream Foundation, which addresses the unmet emergency needs of Holocaust Survivors living in poverty. KAVOD SHEF is a secondary resource that supports food, emergency homecare, medical, dental, home repairs and more.  

"Since Seed the Dream Foundation and Kavod launched KAVOD Survivors of the Holocaust Emergency Fund (SHEF) in 2019, it has been a critical lifeline for Holocaust Survivors in Greater Philadelphia and across the United States,” said Executive Director Talia Kaplan of Seed the Dream Foundation. “We remain grateful to the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia and Jewish Family and Children's Service of Greater Philadelphia for their steadfast commitment and partnership in ensuring that Holocaust Survivors in need have access to emergency services wherever they live."
 
Another Jewish Federation grantee that takes a holistic view of the needs of Holocaust Survivors is KleinLife, a community resource center located in Northeast Philadelphia. While its membership is multigenerational and open to the entire community, KleinLife also maintains a focused mission of ensuring more than 200 Holocaust Survivors receive food and have access to social, fitness and psychological services. 

“Through the Jewish Federation’s support, we’re able to provide Survivors with meals they know and trust, served in a communal setting or delivered with care and respect,” said Andre Krug, president and CEO at KleinLife. “People assume that the needs of Holocaust Survivors are behind us – but they’re not. These are aging individuals, often alone and in poor health, and the truth is, they still need us just as much as ever.”

With each passing year, there are fewer Holocaust Survivors with around 245,000 living worldwide, according to the Claims Conference. For Romirowsky, the Jewish Federation remains committed to making sure that even as the population shrinks that these individuals are never forgotten, just as the horrors they experienced are also remembered through supported advocacy work and education. 

“Caring for Holocaust Survivors is not just a responsibility – it is a moral imperative,”Romirowsky said. “We have and continue to be here for Holocaust Survivors. And even when there are no more Holocaust Survivors living amongst us, we will still be here for them: teaching future generations about the realities of genocide, advocating on issues that ensure the past is not repeated, and uplifting direct descendants to carry on their legacies by sharing their stories.”

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 The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia is dedicated to commemorating the Holocaust, honoring the memory of those who perished, and promoting an understanding of its consequences through educational programming, advocacy, and direct support services for aging Survivors. To learn more, click here.