On Tuesday, June 4th, South Florida-based Jewish Family Service agencies including the Alpert Jewish Family Service, Ruth & Norman Rales Jewish Family Services and Goodman Jewish Family Services celebrated Holocaust Survivor Day. Throughout the day, Holocaust survivors were celebrated at social gatherings held globally and in our community for their courage, strength and sacrifices.
Holocaust Survivor Day was created in 2021 to provide survivors with a day of joy, celebration and recognition.
I attended the luncheon sponsored by the Alpert Jewish Family Service that took place at Temple Shaarei Shalom in Boynton Beach.
There were more than 100 Palm Beach County survivors in attendance.
State Senator Lori Berman presented a Proclamation acknowledging Holocaust Survivor Day on behalf of the State of Florida. She said, “Holocaust Survivor Day is so important because we need to recognize the people that are survivors and we need to recognize all that they’ve been through to make sure we never have a situation like that again. I always believe the only way for evil to flourish is for good people to do nothing and today is a day we can show that good people are doing things in the State of Florida to make sure we never have another Holocaust”.
Palm Beach County Mayor Maria Sachs’ Administrative Aid presented a Proclamation on behalf of the county as well.
Eva Weiss, Alpert JFS Lead Holocaust Care Manager and Community Education Specialist, added, “Today we are here for our fourth annual Holocaust Survivor Day event celebrating the courage, resilience and determination of the survivors we are all so fortunate to have with us”.
The event also featured the singing of the USA and Israeli Anthems. Entertainment was provided by the Holocaust Survivor Band.
Alpert JFS provides in-home health care services, care coordination, emergency financial assistance, counseling, transportation, respite care, psychiatry and other services to over 200 Holocaust survivors in Palm Beach County through its Holocaust Survivors Assistant Program.
Ruth & Norman Rales Jewish Family Services held their event in recognition of Holocaust Survivor Day at the Shirley & Barton Weisman Delray Community Center in Delray Beach.
Close to 100 people, including Holocaust survivors and guests attended the special program that included food, music and companionship.
Howard Horowitz, Director of the Rales’ Holocaust Survivors Assistance Program, shared, “Today, Rales JFS marked Holocaust Survivor Day along with communities throughout the world. This was an opportunity to honor the strength and resilience of our Survivors. The event was made possible thanks to the support of the Seed the Dream Foundation and the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany”.
Danielle Hartman, President & CEO of Rales JFS added, “Participating in Holocaust Survivor Day along with communities around the world represents our commitment to honoring the life and resiliency of our beloved Holocaust Survivors while they remain in our care for as long as possible”.
Goodman Jewish Family Services of Broward County celebrated Holocaust Survivor Day at Temple Beth Emet in Cooper City by welcoming 250 guests, including 150 survivors along with their families, friends, community leaders and dignitaries. The event featured lively music and dancing and each survivor received a special commemorative medal of honor. Additionally, 12 survivors received birthday cakes, certificates and a proclamation from Congressman Jared Moskowitz, marking their induction into the GJFS’ esteemed Centenarian Club.
Guests enjoyed a musical performance by Temple Beth Emet students and had the rare opportunity to connect personally with the survivors throughout the afternoon.
“We are honored to care for Broward’s Holocaust survivors every day. Having so many in one room, celebrating the spirit of life and resilience, was incredibly moving,” said Randy Colman, President and CEO of Goodman Jewish Family Services of Broward County. “We will treasure this experience for years to come.”
To find out more about Holocaust Survivor Day visit https://www.holocaustsurvivorday.com/
