By Laurina Driesse

Residents at the ICEJ Home for Holocaust survivors woke up last Saturday to a very different Shabbat morning. Usually, it is quiet in this older neighbourhood in Haifa, but at 8:00 AM on 28 February, sirens were sounding all across the country, warning of incoming missiles. The long-anticipated war with Iran had begun.

While the ICEJ staff usually do not work on Shabbat, those team members living near the Haifa home went as soon as they could to be with the residents, helping them to get to the bomb shelter numerous times throughout the day.   

The ICEJ team has been working tirelessly day and night ever since, even staying overnight in the office at the Haifa home, to be close to the survivors when the sirens sound, especially in the middle of the night.

“Our presence is a calming influence on our residents and their caregivers. It gives them the feeling of being safe,” noted ICEJ Deputy Aid director Yudit Setz.

The heart of the Haifa Home is the dining hall, where meals are served, friends gather, and fun activities take place. However, since a shelter is next to the dining room, in the evenings it is also used as a sleeping space for some residents who fear they will not be able to reach a safety shelter in time.

Manya and Esti had their mattresses next to each other in the dining room and took comfort in encouraging each other during the difficult nights.

“I am amazed at the resilience of the residents. It is incredible,” said Yudit. “Even in the middle of the night when they have to get up to go to the shelter, even in their nineties, they remain calm and are still smiling.”

Despite the frequent sirens, ICEJ staff have maintained their regular activity programs for the Holocaust survivors.

“Our team continues with daily activities, like gymnastics, language study, playing bingo and chess, to foster community and distract the residents from thoughts of the war,” explained Yudit.

Amid the war, this week also marked the celebration of the Purim festival. Some residents and staff wore party hats at the small celebration dinner.

“We read the scroll of Esther together with a rabbi. It was mentioned that we live in special times and that God is performing His miracles for His people, as we see in the story of Esther,” noted Yudit.

During this challenging time, many elderly people are finding it difficult to reach a shelter when the sirens sound. An emergency hotline, established in collaboration with the ICEJ, operates around the clock to assist Holocaust survivors and other elderly residents across the country. ICEJ staff also are preparing meals for delivery to them.

Yudit shared some of the stories of the hundreds of calls received at the hotline:

“Rita, a Holocaust survivor, called after choking at home while trying to reach the protected space,” Yudit recounted. “She was distressed and unable to get up on her own. A team was dispatched to help her, and a psychiatrist also spoke with her, providing emotional support while ready-made meals were being delivered to her home so she does not have to go outside.”

“Another Holocaust survivor called in tears, explaining that she was unable to cook or shop for groceries during this period. Our teams arrived at her home, brought her hot meals, and added her to the regular distribution list so she would know that someone is caring for her every day,” Yudit added.

The emergency hotline runs 24/7, offering immediate support to any Holocaust survivor or elderly person in need, so they know they are not alone.

It is a privilege for the ICEJ staff to care for and comfort these precious Holocaust survivors in Israel. Please continue to support the work of the ICEJ Haifa Home for Holocaust survivors.

Main Photo: Haifa Home residents Manya and Esti encourage each other during difficult nights (All photos ICEJ)