Israel marked its 60th anniversary this May with an emphasis on the way the country rose out of the ashes of the Holocaust in the spring of 1948. Today there are around 250,000 Holocaust survivors residing in Israel, and while many have managed to lead successful lives, about a third of them live in dire poverty.

This aging group deserves to be cared for and live out their days with dignity, but sadly this is not always the case. Some survivors are alone, neglected and destitute.

ICEJ Aid has partnered with the Israeli charity L'Chaim (To Life) that cares for a number of survivors in the Galilee and coastal region, covering their medications, food, house repairs, and other needs. This arrangement now allows Christians the opportunity to “adopt” a Holocaust survivor. The elderly survivors are also offered companionship through in-home visits by young Israeli volunteers from local schools.

For a commitment of $200 per month for a minimum of 6 months, you can ensure that a Holocaust survivor receives essential care and attention, while helping them with food staples, maintenance and utility bills, medicine and other needs. One-time gifts are also much appreciated.

Each Holocaust survivor on the adoption list has an incredible story to tell. Hadassah was buried alive in a cemetery at night and survived on scraps in order to avoid capture by the Nazis. Today she has suffered a series of medical problems and is often forced to choose between medicine and food. The ICEJ AID's adoption program has stepped in to provide her basic needs, and sponsor companionship through the young volunteers.

Rachel fled Germany for Russia at the beginning of World War II. She joined a partisan unit and later worked in labour camps in Siberia, where her parents died of starvation. She made aliyah to the new State of Israel in 1949. Now 83 years old, Rachel is a widow who maintains contact with only one of her three sons. She is deaf and needs a hearing aid, but cannot afford it. She is also half blind. All of this makes her life very lonely and she is barely able to buy food or medication.

Sofia suffered greatly during the Holocaust, including the loss of most of her family. She was chased by the Nazis, and subjected to physical abuse and prolonged hunger. Thanks to a Christian family her life was spared. At 70 years old, she moved from the Ukraine to Nahariya in northern Israel. Today at 78, she is a widow and suffers from serious liver and kidney disorders.

There are many more such survivors who desperately need our love, comfort and financial support. Time is running out for these precious souls. To confirm your interest in adopting a Holocaust survivor in Israel, please write to icejaid@icej.org.

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