Urgent action needed to help remaining Holocaust survivors

NEW YORK—The Blue Card, the only organization in the United States with the sole mission of providing ongoing support for medical care, rent subsidies, food and other basic needs to indigent Holocaust survivors, is urging that at the same time we remember the atrocities of the past, we act to secure the future well-being of Holocaust survivors.

April 11-12 marked Holocaust Remembrance Day or Yom HaShoah, a memorial of the six million Jewish people who died during World War II. The time to “never forget” has never been more vital. The Anti-Defamation League tracked that anti-Semitic incidents in the U.S. surged nearly 60 percent in 2017.

Now more than seven decades later, the majority of Holocaust survivors living in the U.S. today find themselves below the poverty level, trying to get by on less than $23,000 a year.

From financial donations to volunteering, there are a number of ways to get involved and help Holocaust survivors today:

• Offer your time—a little companionship can go a long way. Companionship, affection and emotional support are basic relationship needs for us all, but can be priceless for Holocaust survivors. Many survivors have lost their families and do not have a strong support network that they can rely on, especially when an emergency happens. In fact, an estimated 75 percent of survivors live alone and many of these seniors have difficulty performing the routine activities of daily life. Providing company and friendship to elderly Holocaust survivors produces strong emotional health benefits for individuals that already went through so much. This could be a visit to their home for tea, a visit to their nursing home for a game of cards or driving them to the drugstore to run errands.

Learn about volunteering opportunities through outreach to organizations such as UJA-Federation, your local JCC or The Blue Card, which has a program that organizes visits to Holocaust survivors in the hospital

• Don’t underestimate the power of listening. Listening to the experiences of survivors of the Holocaust who are still with us, in addition to recorded testimonials, will help give voice to a generation that will largely be lost to us in the next 10-20 years. Unfortunately, the window to hear first-hand testimonials is quickly closing. Whenever possible, take the opportunity to connect with survivors in your community so that their stories will live on after they are gone. You can find temples or community centers in your local area that host panels, guest speakers and movie screenings.

• Give back through activities that give you joy. You can volunteer to fundraise for Holocaust survivors through a variety of events and experiences such as endurance walks or runs. Joining a race through a charity team is a great way to give, while also getting to have an amazing personal experience with friends and family. The Blue Card takes part in various sporting events including the TCS New York City Marathon, the Miami Marathon and the New York City Triathlon. You can also give back while doing an everyday task like shopping online. Many organizations participate in Amazon Smile. When you enroll in the program, a portion of your purchase will be donated to the charitable organization that supports Holocaust survivors of your choice.

• Contribute what you can—any amount helps. Holocaust survivors that are now in their 80s, 90s and 100s have a steadily growing need for financial assistance to afford basic necessities from food to rent, and growing medical bills for dental care and cancer care. Donate what you can to improve the quality of life for your community members and neighbors. Engage with your employer to encourage a matching donations program. Share The Blue Card’s mission with your friends and encourage them to get involved and/or donate.

“The Blue Card has seen requests for assistance from Holocaust survivors grow year by year due to an increasing number of medical issues, the rising cost of living and the uncertainty of a changing healthcare system. These challenges leave survivors struggling to live their remaining years in dignity,” said Masha Pearl, Executive Director of The Blue Card. “There are so many ways to connect and give back to Holocaust survivors. Whether it’s making a donation, spreading awareness about those in need or listening to someone tell their story—even the smallest gesture can have a big impact on improving lives.”

You can learn about volunteering opportunities, make a donation online or arrange for a bequest in memory of a loved one, by visiting www.bluecardfund.org.