Project: Shalom Houses

Thousands of Holocaust survivors came to Israel in the ’90s. These survivors were from the ghettos and veterans of World War II, most of them speak Russian. A high percentage of these people were intellectuals – artists, composers, writers, managers, teachers and etc., or just common people. Today these Immigrants are concentrated in different towns and cities. This large number of Holocaust survivors requires special attention for elderly people with difficult historical background, on a personal level as well as on a family-generational, economic and social level. We intend to establish multi-purpose activity centers in which Holocaust survivors will have support from consultation targeting individual and group therapy and community aid.

Basic principles:

• groups of 20 Holocaust survivors meeting once a week in one location
• local coordinator for each of the operating house

Goals:

• helping in coping with loneliness and heavy loss
• financial support for underprivileged members of the network
• giving a sense of existence in daily life for each person
• establishing a new active social framework
• meetings of “self-help” groups

Activities:

• meals
• celebrations: birthdays, Israeli and Jewish holidays
• social activities: tours, conferences, and cultural evenings, music, poetry, games, films, lectures, recording and preserving their memories

Helping Hand Coalition commitment:

• participation in financing weekly activities for an indefinite period of time
• management and logistics support
• organizing additional activities: tours, events, celebrations
• financial support for underprivileged (meals, food coupons)
• facilitating youth volunteers networks
• establishing a platform for a direct relationship between Holocaust survivors and members of international Christian supporters