Impression: Holocaust Survivors’ Demands Keep on into 2021

By Marcy Gringlas

The secular new 12 months can be related to the Jewish new calendar year. For the two, we replicate on the year that has passed, and we set intentions for the new 12 months to appear.

In excess of these previous weeks of reflection, renewal and hopeful resolutions, we glimpse back again at what we have achieved as a local community and we strategy for the effect we can make when we join alongside one another and area our focus on the place it is required most. Many of us felt ready to say goodbye to 2020, a calendar year in which people who were most vulnerable were produced even much more so. The 30,000 Holocaust survivors residing in poverty across the United States have been among the that populace, and, turned, like so many some others, that a lot additional deprived and isolated.

And still, amid the darkness of the pandemic, KAVOD SHEF (Survivors of the Holocaust Crisis Fund) serves as a vibrant gentle of help for survivor unexpected emergency wants. The KAVOD SHEF initiative, associates with the nationwide nonprofit assist organization KAVOD, and specifically responds to survivor desires in 9 emergency areas: food, clinical, dental, vision, urgent dwelling needs (utilities, rent, repairs), crisis household treatment, transportation, crucial deliveries and PPE.

Seed the Aspiration Foundation proudly associates with additional than 25 foundations and philanthropists to supply nationwide pounds that match all cash lifted by local communities and enables KAVOD SHEF to tackle these ongoing and rising requirements.

What began in 2019 as unexpected emergency solutions for Holocaust survivors throughout 12 metropolitan areas, which include Philadelphia, promptly expanded in 2020 to local community partnerships in additional than 28 U.S. metropolitan areas.
Together, we succeeded in filling additional than 15,000 crisis requests across the country — which include 2,000 emergency support requests ideal here in our Increased Philadelphia group. When we come collectively and operate collectively, our collective reach extends beyond what we assumed possible.

KAVOD SHEF has develop into our evidence. And, we have far more to do as we enter into this new calendar year. Way too a lot of Holocaust survivors, all those who survived the unimaginable, are suffering nonetheless. Some encounter food stuff insecurity, though others wrestle to hold their houses. Although some are compelled to choose among heat or health care costs, other folks cannot pay for essential home repairs.

My resolution for this new year is very simple: We can and ought to do extra to relieve these not possible possibilities and support our survivors live in dignity throughout their last a long time.

Seed the Aspiration Foundation continues to be dedicated to addressing the emergency demands of Holocaust survivors and supporting SHEF in the United States and Israel.

In 2021, we are committed to growing these partnerships. It is our hope that present-day companions and new associates will be a part of together with us to exponentially increase the assets obtainable for our survivors. Via this unique initiative, we function jointly with Jewish Federations these types of as the Jewish Federation of Bigger Philadelphia, Jewish Loved ones Company businesses, national philanthropic partners and neighborhood donors to convey considerably required unexpected emergency help to our survivor community and amplify our influence. A single hundred per cent of all resources lifted are directed toward these requirements — and our heroic KAVOD team companions keep on to work tirelessly to fill all of the survivor requests with urgency.

In 2021, Seed the Desire Basis will renew our dedication to match all nationwide bucks raised for KAVOD SHEF through the up coming yr. As a end result of the COVID-19 disaster, Holocaust survivors in Philadelphia and throughout the United States have to have us even a lot more. We will go on to band jointly with neighborhood and national businesses to widen and deepen our attain, and we inquire you to sign up for us. The Jewish Federation of Better Philadelphia continues to be our strong and steadfast local spouse. As we move into what we hope will be a a great deal brighter new yr, we are grateful for their leadership and the gentle they carry on to carry to the ever-rising requirements of our survivor populace.

This is the time for us to arrive together, work alongside one another and act collectively, to be certain that the unexpected emergency needs of Holocaust survivors are satisfied. Permit us display our survivors that they are not forgotten. We are listed here.

As we start this new calendar year with new hope and new optimism, be sure to join us in our collective communal reaction. May well 2021 bring well being, mild and intention.

Survivors in require, you should phone this private nationwide mobile phone hotline for support currently: 720-295-8484.

Marcy Gringlas is the president and co-founder of Seed the Aspiration Foundation.