By Diane Fisher, JCRC Director

Published in JValley Magazine, February 2019

The annual Holocaust Remembrance programs at the San Jose City Council and Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors are well-known aspects of the JCRC’s commitment to continuing Holocaust education. JCRC is also an advocacy body, and this year we joined with our partners in the Jewish Public Affairs Committee of California and the California Legislative Jewish Caucus to help pass a budget appropriation for Holocaust survivor assistance.

There are an estimated 20,000 Holocaust survivors living in California today, and at least one-third of them are frail and living in poverty. Jewish Family Service (JFS) agencies throughout the state provide care but funds are regularly depleted, and programs have waitlists. This first-ever California-funded program will provide funds for approximately 600 elderly and underserved Holocaust survivors. The funds will cover services including home care, case management, home-delivered meals, transportation and emergency financial assistance. 

Mindy Berkowitz, CEO of JFS of Silicon Valley, has joined with JFS agencies across the state in applying for – and receiving - these needed funds. JFS SV serves 225 frail, elderly survivors in our community. “We are pleased – and honored – to partner with JCRC, JPAC and the State of California to ensure that Holocaust survivors have the support they need to live fuller lives. We are continually grateful for our partnership with JCRC, an essential advocate for issues that are of paramount importance to our Jewish community,” said Berkowitz.