Within Atlantic County, there are 12 Holocaust Survivors who rely on Jewish Family Service of Atlantic & Cape May Counties (JFS) for assistance and support which includes care coordination, grocery pick-up and delivery, transportation to appointments, help with Claims Conference paperwork, socialization programs and more. JFS is committed to immeasurably adding to the quality of life of Holocaust Survivors in our region.
JFS is pleased to announce that in January a grant was provided by the Joseph Gringlas KAVOD SHEF National Fund to assure the emergency needs of Survivors could continue to be met. The donation will be matched 1:1 up to $9,000 by KAVOD SHEF, in partnership with Seed the Dream Foundation, a coalition that assists Holocaust Survivors nationwide. KAVOD SHEF leverages funds through a special philanthropic national matching initiative to ensure much-needed revenue is available for the Survivor community.
“As needs continue and evolve for Holocaust Survivors, JFS staff and volunteers are honored to work cohesively to assure they have financial and emotional support to live safe, healthy, and dignified lives. JFS’ unwavering commitment to assist Holocaust Survivors in any manner is paramount,” said Andrea Steinberg, JFS Chief Executive Officer.
The KAVOD SHEF National Fund is named in memory of Joseph Gringlas (z”l), a Survivor of the Blizyn, Auschwitz, and Dora-Nordhausen concentration camp. Joseph was an educator, artist, tv repairman, and mender of all things broken. He touched the lives of countless people who were moved by his kindness and optimism, his ability to see beauty despite witnessing the worst in humanity, and willingness to share his story of survival to ensure lessons of the Holocaust would never be forgotten.
“The issue is not going away and is not dwindling! Our Survivors are getting older and are having greater financial stress. We only have a few years left with these courageous individuals, and we feel it is our responsibility to take care of them and offer them peace in their final years. They have been through enough, and as a human community, we are responsible. This is our last chance to help our Survivors—those still with us—to live out their lives in dignity,” said Amy Israel Pregulman, Executive Director and Co-Founder of KAVOD.
To ensure funding is available for programs and services, you can donate to JFS’ Holocaust Survivor Fund by contacting Beth Joseph, Senior Director of Communications & Donor Relations, at 609.822.7409 or bjoseph@jfsatlantic.org. To learn more about KAVOD SHEF, visit https://kavodensuringdignity.com/kavod-shef-initiative/ or contact the national KAVOD SHEF hotline at (720) 295-8484.
