From Vulnerable Children to Resilient Survivors

Holocaust Survivors alive today were born between the years of 1928-1946 and were directly impacted by Nazi occupation. Right now, an estimated 220,800 Holocaust Survivors live more than 90 countries around the world. Every day, we meet Survivors who live their lives to the fullest—inspiring others with their life lessons. Laura is one of those Survivors.

Laura, age 6.

Born in Odessa, Ukraine, Laura and her family escaped to Siberia during the war. Growing up in the Soviet Union was difficult, and she was often abused and attacked for being Jewish.

“While many things could humiliate me, no one could take away my Jewish identity.”

After many failed attempts to leave Russia, Laura, her husband, and family were finally allowed to immigrate to the United States in 1991, arriving first in Kansas City. For twenty years, Laura worked at Jewish Family Services in Kansas City, starting as a volunteer translator. Shortly after, Laura was hired on and inspired to earn a master’s degree in social work. She eventually worked her way up to clinical director.

Read more about Laura and her husband Roman’s Story in Life Lessons, page 115.

Laura picture with her care manager, Margarita (right) at the High Tea at the last day of celebrating Simchat Torah.

“From the very first visit, Margarita made us feel special. She arranged homecare for my husband—and she gave us much more than that—she gave us warmth, kindness, and dignity. When my husband passed away, Margarita spoke about him at the funeral with such love that it touched me deeply. Since then, she has continued to check in, invite me to social and cultural programs, arrange transportation, deliver holiday packages and gift cards, and she sits with me just to talk. During a time when the world felt so lonely, Margarita made sure I was never alone.”

Today, Laura is almost 85 years old. JFS helps her with homecare assistance, socialization, and most importantly, connection. She stays active with yoga, Zumba, and dance fitness, and attending SOS events. Through SOS, Laura and other Survivors remain connected, engaged, and an important part of our community.

“For me, resilience has been the story of my life. For me, resilience has meant surviving loss, starting over in a new country, and facing antisemitism both then and now. Who am I? I am a proud Jew. I live with gratitude—for my family, for my community, and for Jewish Family Service, which has embraced me not only as someone who once served others, but also as someone worthy of receiving care.”

Laura is just one of the many resilient Survivors we care for.
Meet more Survivors at www.jfssd.org/SOS

The Supporting Our Survivors (SOS) Program:
How We Help

SOS offers comprehensive support services to help Holocaust Survivors maintain their health, independence, and connection to the community throughout San Diego and Orange County. JFS understands the complex challenges of aging, which often are magnified for Survivors dealing with trauma and loss.

JFS helps Holocaust Survivors age with dignity—often making the difference in whether they can remain in their own homes at this vulnerable time of their lives. We offer a full system of support, beginning with care management provided by a trauma-informed specialist.

JFS services include advocacy, translation services, assistance with reparations and claims forms, care management, including accompanying individuals to medical appointments, and emergency funding often for medical treatments or procedures.

SOS Challah Bake

Our most recent SOS event connected members of Gen Z to Holocaust Survivors for a meaningful and memorable experience. Just before Rosh Hashanah, Milana, a teenager who recently graduated from Kavod Charter School (K-8), led a group of peers and Survivors in a challah bake. Together, they braided round challahs for Lieber’s Corner Market; shared stories of courage and resilience; and made bonds that will be sustained long into the future.

“All the people who were at the event today, it’s now their responsibility and responsibility to if they tell their parents, their parents responsibility, their parents tell their friends, it becomes everybody’s responsibility.”

By the Numbers

It’s a common misconception that the number of Survivors receiving assistance greatly decreases every year. However, as Survivors age, new and immediate needs can arise—such as medical issues, dementia-related PTSD, loss of family members, expensive food or rising rents—causing Survivors to request help that they never needed before.