By Yudit Setz

As the summer heat settled over Israel, our team at the Haifa Home for Holocaust survivors entered a season when several of our Christian staff members took well-earned vacations. Although we are operating with a smaller team these days, we remain committed to providing the care, activities, and personal attention that make the Haifa Home such a special place for our residents. 

Welcoming Visitors from Germany 
International visitors have become a rare sight in recent years, which made it a special privilege to welcome an ICEJ group from Germany to the Haifa Home. Their recent visit gave them the chance to meet our staff, learn about the Home, and experience our work firsthand. 

One highlight was hearing from Shela, a resident who fled her hometown in Ukraine after the Russian invasion and has lived at the Haifa Home for the past four years. Her story gave our visitors a deeply personal glimpse into the journey of rebuilding a shattered life and finding safety, friendship and hope in Israel. 

Celebrating Life’s Special Moments 
Sometimes the smallest gestures create the greatest joy. Recently we discovered that our resident Rita and her caregiver, Anu, share the same birthday—born exactly 56 years apart. We surprised them with a birthday outing to nearby Café Benjamin. The café manager has come to know our residents and always welcomes them warmly. Sharing coffee, cake, laughter and conversation made for a memorable celebration. 

Taking Residents Back into the Community 
Although concerns about regional security remain part of daily life, we have made a special effort to help residents reconnect with the outside world following the recent conflict with Iran. Whether exercising together on the beach, enjoying ice cream, or sharing coffee at a neighbourhood café, these outings have helped restore a sense of normalcy, friendship and joy. 

For those able to travel farther, we visited several museums in Haifa, including the Railway Museum, where residents explored the fascinating history of rail travel in Israel dating back to 1892. 

Our Russian-speaking residents have especially appreciated learning more about the history of the country they now call home. After studying biblical and historical sites during our bi-monthly lectures, many were excited to visit Megiddo and see its rich history with their own eyes. 

“The more I travel around Israel, the more I see how people created beautiful things out of nothing”, Etta shared afterwards. “I am very grateful that you take us to visit different places and discover new things.” 

“It was so interesting, and once again I learned something new”, added Arnold. “I saw the true Promised Land, beautifully cared for, and it reminds me why this land is worth protecting.” 

These experiences do far more than provide an enjoyable day out—they deepen our residents’ connection to Israel and create great memories. 

New Therapy Equipment 
Our physiotherapy room continues to be a place of creativity and encouragement. Visitors are often surprised to find boxing equipment alongside traditional therapy tools. Under professional guidance, boxing exercises have become an excellent way for residents to improve coordination, strength, balance and mobility while also providing a healthy outlet for stress and frustration. 

We also are delighted to share that ICEJ-Switzerland recently donated a therapeutic trampoline to the Haifa Home. Their director Dominique even brought it with him on the plane to Israel. 

Our physiotherapist, Simcha, completed specialised training developed in Switzerland and has already begun incorporating the trampoline into therapy sessions. It has proven to be an enjoyable addition, helping residents improve balance, stability and confidence. 

Celebrating Manya’s Artistic Achievement 
One of our long-term residents, Manya, has spent a lifetime expressing her creativity. Her artwork documents her experiences during the Holocaust in Transnistria and is displayed in our museum. In recent years, she taught herself digital painting, creating vibrant artwork on the computer. Nearly every day, she produces a new painting accompanied by a poem inspired by her experiences. 

This summer, HaGefen Publishing House selected a collection of her digital paintings for its annual calendar. The finished calendar was presented to Manya during one of Nancy’s art classes, creating an unforgettable moment of celebration. 

“Today is a day of light and joy”, Manya exclaimed. “It encourages me so much. It is every artist’s dream that others can enjoy what they create.” 

Meet Our Chef, Shay 
The Hebrew name Shay means “gift” — and that is exactly what Shay has become to our Home. Although he has been worked off-and-on at the Haifa Home for a few years, about six months ago he officially came on as head chef. By then, he had already fallen in love with the place and especially the residents. 

Raised in Jerusalem, Shay is deeply rooted in family, culture and food. Now 38, he grew up in a unique household with a Muslim father and Jewish mother. His culinary journey began at age seven when his father — himself a chef and restaurant owner — put him to work in the kitchen to earn a special pair of sports shoes he wanted. Along the way, he discovered a passion for cooking. 

By age 16, Shay enrolled at the prestigious Tadmor culinary academy, Israel’s oldest and largest culinary institute. After graduating, he continued working alongside his father before eventually marrying and opening his own restaurant. The path was not always easy, and Shay learned firsthand that success is not guaranteed in the restaurant business. 

Shay later studied at the renowned Danon Culinary Center in Tel Aviv before traveling to Paris to attend Le Cordon Bleu, where he completed his studies with excellence. 

Over the years, Shay worked in a variety of restaurants and even attempted to build his own business again. Yet today, he is here at our Home, where he feels he truly belongs. 

“Every morning I wake up at 5:30 AM and come to work with joy,” Shay said with a smile. “I have such a strong desire to do something good for our residents, people who have endured so much. When Sofi tells me, ‘This was the best soup I’ve ever eaten,’ it gives me goosebumps.” 

Coming from many different cultural backgrounds, our residents gather each day for meals prepared with care, creativity and heart. Shay’s dishes are not only delicious and beautifully presented — they are nourishing, comforting, and always served with a warm smile. 

We Could Not Do All This Without You! 
Thank you for standing with us. Every outing, therapy session, shared meal, volunteer visit, and meaningful conversation is possible because of faithful friends like you. Your support continues to bring dignity, comfort, hope and community to Holocaust survivors under our care. We are deeply grateful for your partnership. 

You can support our work at:  help.icej.org/survivors 

Main Photo: Haifa Home residents enjoy an outing to Megiddo. (Photos: ICEJ)