From Keren Hayesod and Christians standing with Israel
Some friendships seem unbelievable at first glance – and yet they exist. Take the one between Yosef and Amit, for example. 91-year-old Yosef survived the Holocaust as a child; after the war, he immigrated to Israel and found a safe home there. Some time ago, Yosef met Amit. The student is almost 70 years younger and is involved in an aid project for Holocaust survivors.
“I don’t like being alone. When Amit visits me, the room is filled with so much light,” says Yosef about the 24-year-old, who immediately adds in the interview: “Yosef laughs a lot, has a great sense of humor, and is a talkative person. I always say: Yosef is my friend.”
This friendship is made possible by a project that we as Christians, standing alongside Israel, are delighted to support together with the charity Keren Hayesod eV: Since 2017, the volunteers of the project “Choosing Tomorrow – La'ad” have been working to combat the isolation of very elderly Holocaust survivors and to preserve their life stories.
Many survivors report feeling disconnected from their local community and unable to participate in cultural and social activities. This project aims to counteract this. It brings together caring and high-achieving students with Holocaust survivors, fostering a sense of community and belonging across generations. Through weekly meetings, the young people not only alleviate the often age-related loneliness through conversation and shared activities, but also, thanks to specialized training on the legal aspects of government and charitable services for Holocaust survivors, support them in managing bureaucratic matters, household tasks, appointments, and errands—such as grocery shopping and obtaining medication.
For each survivor, a personalized support plan is developed, tailored to their individual needs. Approximately one-third of the roughly 150,000 Holocaust survivors in Israel are at risk of poverty or already live below the poverty line. "Choosing Tomorrow – La'ad" also provides financial assistance to these individuals. In addition to support services, elderly Holocaust survivors living in poverty receive €225 per month from the project to help them better manage expenses such as medication and food.
Preserving memories
A particularly important task for the young volunteers is preserving the life stories of the elderly. Their memories of the Nazi crimes against humanity must not be lost and must serve as a warning to future generations to resolutely oppose all forms of antisemitism. For this reason, those involved with "Choosing Tomorrow – La'ad" are entrusted with documenting the biographies of the survivors and forwarding them to the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem. There, the records are stored, cataloged, and digitized so that they are never forgotten.
“Choosing Tomorrow – La'ad” is a holistic program where students meet with a program coordinator who offers them seminars and activities. These sessions familiarize them with the unique role that young people can play in the lives of Holocaust survivors. The program coordinator also provides guidance and support to the volunteers in processing their emotions.
Currently, "Choosing Tomorrow – La'ad" is still in its infancy, but the project has great potential for growth. Through events designed specifically for seniors, it aims to raise awareness and reach an increasing number of participants. The activities are also intended to expand geographically to the entire territory of Israel. As Christians standing alongside Israel, to support this project.
And Yosef and Amit? They will definitely remain friends. They promised each other that.
Will you help us give Holocaust survivors a dignified end to their lives? Every donation counts (donation purpose: Holocaust survivors)!
This article first appeared in our newspaper "Israelaktuell," issue 133. You can order the newspaper free of charge here. We would also be happy to send you several copies for distribution.
