By: Yudit Setz

Here is the latest news from the ICEJ’s unique Home for Holocaust survivors in Haifa, where our team of Christian volunteers help care for dozens of Jewish survivors of the Shoah.

More lockdowns
After a brief return to ‘normal’ life and enjoying each other’s company, our Haifa Home residents recently had to start eating their meals in their rooms once again due to a peak in the Omicron virus. Two residents and several staff also tested positive. Fortunately, everyone has now completely recovered!

For many Holocaust survivors at our Haifa Home, the fear of becoming ill with coronavirus is even worse than the sickness itself. Many of their friends and family have gotten COVID, and they are so afraid of getting it, too. Plus, the isolation they are experiencing is equally hard to bear, as they are mostly stuck at home again.

“I only speak to my caregiver and almost forget how to even speak. Can you please visit me more often?” Rivka pleaded.

Our team of Christian volunteers does everything possible to help them during these difficult times. We visit their apartments, help them make doctor and dentist appointments, and take them out for walks. With Israel experiencing a very cold, wet winter, they are hesitant to venture outside for a stroll. But Birgit, our physiotherapist, tries to get the survivors moving as much as she can. Some residents enjoy doing gymnastics in small groups, while Will Setz pops in with his guitar at times to bring a little music and joy!

Adapting our Birthday Celebrations
Instead of celebrating birthdays together in the dining hall, we now are going to the residents, bringing them a cake and a moment of joy through music. Yaacov, a long-time resident, just celebrated his 98th birthday, while Lydia just turned 84.

Yehuda moves in for now
Yehuda, an elderly Moroccan Jewish survivor, recently was referred to our Home by people who knew about our caring community for Holocaust survivors. Yehuda’s life has not been easy after he became deaf as a youth due to an illness. For many years he lived mostly on the streets, his few possessions stuffed in plastic bags inside a shopping cart.

We have housed Yehuda temporarily to see if the Home is a suitable place for him. Our social worker, Fadi, is trying to collect more details about Yehuda before a decision is made on where is best for him. Meantime, our ICEJ volunteer team helped Yehuda decorate his room and turn it into a home. Several times Yehuda broke down, emotionally overwhelmed by the love and care showered upon him.

According to an Israeli government report released in January, most Holocaust survivors left in the world now live in Israel, numbering some 165,800. Over 90% of these Holocaust survivors are 80 years and older. There are 950 survivors who are more than 100 years old.

A full 25% currently live in poverty and 30% are living alone.

The ICEJ’s Haifa Home for Holocaust Survivors is a warm environment where residents can live out their remaining years in dignity and comfort, with all their needs cared for by loving staff, including our dedicated team of Christian volunteers.