By Yudit Setz 

From a 90th birthday filled with personal blessings to summer outings, High Holiday traditions, creative moments and remembrance, these past months have been shaped by community, dignity and connection at the ICEJ’s Home for Holocaust survivors. 

Galina’s 90th Birthday: A Moment of Light 

A birthday can be more than a celebration—it can be a reminder that a person is seen, remembered and surrounded by care. 

Galina V. has been with us for several years. She came to Israel with her only daughter, who visited often and helped her with many things. 

About a year ago, Galina suffered a devastating loss when her daughter suddenly passed away while staying overnight with her. The grief and trauma have been very hard for Galina to carry. As walking became increasingly difficult, we were able to move her to a ground-floor apartment that had become available. 

Recently, Galina turned 90. Together with a distant relative, we decided to make the occasion special. Residents who knew her, including some who had shared a language class with her, joined the staff for the celebration. With cakes, drinks and a personal blessing from each person, the gathering filled Galina’s cup. She was visibly happy to receive so much warmth and attention.  

The ICEJ Staff are grateful that we were able to make Galina’s birthday so special. Just after Yom Kippur, Galina fell ill and was hospitalised. Sadly, her condition deteriorated, and she passed away in October. She will be missed by all those who knew her. 

Out and About: Discovering Israel Together 

Even in the heat of summer, we have managed to take quite a few trips. Our nine-seater van takes residents to interesting places suited to their abilities and interests. 

We visit museums that explore this country’s fascinating and rich history, as well as coffee places where residents can enjoy a cup of coffee or an ice cream. Sometimes the greatest gift is simply getting out of the house: learning something new, sharing an experience and being together. 

At the University of Haifa, high on Mount Carmel, residents visited two museums: one devoted to archaeology and another exploring the heritage of German-speaking Jewry before World War II, their immigration to Israel during the 1930s—the Fifth Aliyah—and their impact after the war. 

It was a fascinating little museum that brought back many memories for our residents. 

The High Holidays: Tradition, Faith & Community 

Rosh HaShanah — A Sweet New Year 

During the two days of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year it is customary to wish one another a sweet New Year. At the holiday table, an apple is dipped in honey and passed around, while the traditional challah is made extra sweet. 

Just before the holiday, we gave all our residents a small jar of quality honey, topped with a bee-shaped chocolate and accompanied by a personal card with our blessings for the New Year.  Also, the Israeli Jewish staff and our neighbors received this small token as a blessing. Everyone was very appreciative of the gesture. 

Yom Kippur — A Day of fasting and prayer 

Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the most solemn day of the year. Israel closes down as many people go to synagogue, pray and fast for 25 hours. 

At the Home, it is a tradition to transform the dining room into a synagogue. At the front, the cupboard holding the Torah scrolls is opened. Tables arranged in a line create the separation between the men’s and women’s sections. 

Alongside the residents who attend the services, men from outside the Home also come to pray in our synagogue. It is moving to see residents—many of them in their 90s—take part in the long services, from the evening beginning through the following day.  

With the blowing of the shofar at the end of the day, Yom Kippur ends. Everyone breaks the fast together with tea and cakes and wishes one another a healthy and sweet New Year. 

The Feast of Tabernacles: Creativity in the Sukkah 

A sukkah is built every year on the Home’s premises, creating a welcoming space for joyful gatherings. At different times, people sat together in this Sukkah, shared, and even sang songs in Hebrew and Yiddish. Sukkot is a time of joy, and certainly, there was a very joyful sound that came out of our Sukkah. 

For the weekly art session, our residents were invited to the Sukkah at Nancy, the art therapist’s home. With delicious baked goods and drinks, residents enjoyed an art activity inspired by the themes of Sukkot. It was a great joy for all who participated. 

“I came to the Land only a few years ago and didn’t experience a joyous occasion like today in the Sukkah. You give us the biggest gift, and that is inspiration and meaning to our lives.” 

“When we do art, we forget about our problems and feel younger and healthier. Thank you so much!” 

Farewell to Will: Gratitude for the Everyday Things 

After being involved with the Haifa Home in different ways over the past years, Will decided it was time to retire. We organised a farewell party where residents and staff could express their deep gratitude for the many practical things—both small and large—that Will did for them. 

Sometimes it was fixing a sewing machine, installing a new doorbell, or simply being a listening ear and taking the time to drink a cup of coffee with someone. Keeping the tool shed in order was another important part of Will’s work, along with mentoring the maintenance person to work in a good and organised way. 

Many residents took the opportunity to thank Will for all he had done and invited him to come back often to visit. They all will miss him dearly. 

“We will miss your kindness and willingness to always help where we needed it…” 

Remembering October 7, 2023 

Another memorial ceremony, laden with profound sadness, has become part of Israel’s annual days of remembrance. Also at the Home, a solemn ceremony was held in the presence of families of victims, wounded soldiers, schoolchildren, soldiers and quite a few of our residents. 

This dramatic event and the three years that followed have been very difficult for our residents. Many of them experienced antisemitism and the Holocaust.  They were those who helped to build the State of Israel and fought its war.  They felt safe in a country with a strong army that could defend itself. Therefore, October 7 came as a great shock. Memories of the Holocaust and pogroms they experienced returned, bringing deep distress. The resurgence of antisemitism at levels comparable to the 1930s is particularly alarming to them, as many see disturbing similarities with the conditions they remember from before the Holocaust.  

Therefore, the true friendship of Christians who stand up for Israel speaks loudly and is a voice of hope and comfort. 

Volunteers from Argentina 

We recently welcomed a group of 20 volunteers from Argentina. 

They are part of Limud Buenos Aires, an organisation that brings together Jewish people of all ages and backgrounds to learn, volunteer and build community. During their two-week visit to Israel, one of their volunteer stops was at the Haifa Home. 

Many were fascinated to learn about the partnership between Christians and Israelis through the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem’s work. For many, it was their first encounter with this expression of Christian support for Israel and Holocaust survivors. Their curiosity sparked thoughtful conversations and many questions about our work. 

After the presentation, they eagerly took part in practical projects around the Home—sweeping paths, tending gardens, cleaning common areas, and, most importantly, spending valuable time with our residents. 

Their willingness to serve was a wonderful encouragement to everyone at the Haifa Home and a reminder that compassion truly crosses cultures, languages and generations.