Over the past year, ICEJ AID has become more deeply involved in assisting elderly Holocaust survivors in Israel, after a series of media reports highlighted the impoverished conditions many of them are facing today. Teaming up with a very caring organisation called L’Chaim (To Life), we have now focused on helping survivors in northern Israel.

Through our ‘Adopt a Holocaust Survivor’ program, they receive a bi-monthly basket of nutritious food, as well as assistance with their medical expenses, which can often be high given that many have considerable health problems. In addition, we sponsor in-home visits by student volunteers that provide companionship and practical care. The stories coming out of these visits and the warm relationships formed across generations are remarkable.

Every two weeks, high school student Ben Mendes makes the journey to Pardes Hanna to visit with Holocaust survivors. At first he questioned “why it was necessary to drive almost two hours just to sit for an hour with some stranger. Were there not Holocaust survivors in a closer location? However, after several visits I began to realise how important it was to be there for these people, who were lonely and had no one else. The conversations I had with them and the time spent in their homes has changed my life.”

Another student, Itzik, says that he is “transported by the survivors’ stories of suffering and heroism in the ghettos and concentration camps, which has strengthened my motivation to enlist into the army and to fight for my country”.

Recently, we experienced ourselves the fulfilment that comes from spending time with these survivors. When we knocked on her door, it took a while before we heard Rachel's voice. We waited for her to open the door and when she did not appear, we let ourselves in. There we saw this sweet lady who is completely blind, walking towards another part of her home. She had become confused, but her welcome was clear and our visit with Rachel was a special time.

In the middle of conversation, she would suddenly bring up all kinds of memories from her time in the concentration camp, but also shared how thrilled she was with our visit. The young visitors take her out for walks and this is usually the only time she leaves the house. The visits and financial help we provide have brought light into her life.

Rachel had tears in her eyes when we gave her a financial gift to cover her heating costs. Even during the cold of winter, many elderly Holocaust survivors often turn off their heaters for fear of not being able to pay their electricity bill. Thanks to your contributions, we are able to reassure them that we are there to help meet their needs.

If you would like to “adopt” one of the many Holocaust survivors on our waiting list, please contact us at icejaid@icej.org
 

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