By: Yudit Setz

As Israel’s long, hot summer begins to wind down, there is a noticeable cooling of the air with the approach of fall. The atmosphere feels different, too. And the Holocaust survivors residing in our Haifa Home know that the time of the Jewish High Holidays is here!

The fall holidays are always celebrated in many ways at the ICEJ’s Haifa Home for Holocaust survivors.

This year, two weeks prior to the actual Rosh Hashana holiday in late September, an advertising analysis company, AppsFlyer, treated the Haifa Home residents to a delightful Rosh Hashana picnic along the Kishon River.

It was a fun day out, with delicious pastries and fruits for residents to enjoy. A dance floor was also set up and many residents took this opportunity to dance and enjoy the afternoon with the company’s staff. What joy for all!

“They already invited us several times before and remember us well. It’s nice to see the same people again. Total strangers in the beginning have now become friends to us,” remarked Rachel.

“The effort they put in for us truly amazed me,” added Renate. “Not only did they provide all this, but they were also interested in my life and listened to my story.”

Back at the Home in Haifa, preparations got underway for the Rosh HaShana holiday earlier this week. As the residents entered the community dining room to celebrate the Jewish New Year together, they were greeted by beautifully set tables.

Along with the customary prayers, the residents also enjoyed a special festive meal that had all the traditional foods for this holiday.

It was an exciting time also for all our new residents from Ukraine, who were celebrating their first Jewish New Year in Israel.

Residents who are still able to visit relatives celebrated this holiday with their families, but there were enough who wanted to celebrate it together at our Home to fill the room.

Caring for these Holocaust survivors and having a chance to impact their lives is a privilege. Thank you for considering a generous gift towards the work of the ICEJ’s Haifa Home for Holocaust survivors.