Yom HaShoah: Survivors
Through the Generations
A Mother and Daughter Story
Although Yom HaShoah, Holocaust
Remembrance Day, on April 18 has passed,
the horrors and atrocities of this genocide
must be remembered – especially with
the ever-increasing levels of antisemitism
locally and worldwide.

“We are sadly approaching a reality
where there will not be any Survivors
left to share their first-hand stories,” said
Jason Holtzman, director of the Jewish
Federation’s Jewish Community Relations
Council (JCRC), who is a third-generation
Survivor himself.

This year, the Jewish Federation allocated
$305,000 to organizations that provide
Holocaust Survivors with food, rent
money and other basic necessities to age
with dignity. Last year, 45,497 Holocaust
Survivors worldwide were served through
organizations and programs supported by
the Jewish Federation.

First and second-generation Survivors
in the community share how the Jewish
Federation has helped them tell their
stories and why their lived experiences
must be preserved as a way for history not
to repeat itself.

The Jewish Federation of Greater
Philadelphia is dedicated to preserving
the memory of those who perished
in the Holocaust, supporting those
who survived and educating the next
generation. Visit jewishphilly.org/donate to
assist us in this crucial work.

“From day number one, the Jewish Federation helped us
when nobody else did. Through JFCS, [a grantee of the
Jewish Federation], we were given a social worker and rent
money for the first year we were in our apartment. They
even helped me go to school to study English. I don’t know
where we’d be without the Jewish Federation.”
Eva Khaitman, first-generation Survivor who fled
Odessa by boat with her mother
“It's extremely important we don't forget the Holocaust.

The rise of antisemitism and prejudices can't be
tolerated. The only thing that separates myself from
all those who perished is a little over 70 years. I'm just
lucky to have been born in another decade and time.”
Inga Khaitman, second-generation Survivor
and Eva’s daughter
A Multi-Generational Responsibility
“As the child of a Holocaust Survivor, I
understand, implicitly, that I must work to better
the lives of Jews. I am extraordinarily proud to
oversee the allocation of the Jewish Federation’s
unrestricted dollars to benefit organizations and
individuals for whom every dollar makes an
impact. My volunteer work is in direct response
to my father’s experiences in the Holocaust.”
Holly Nelson, second-generation Survivor and chair of the
Jewish Federation’s Planning and Resourcing Committee
The Power of First-Hand Accounts
“There is no better person to tell the
stories than an eyewitness to the past. I was there
and I experienced in my own way the events of the
Holocaust. I'm very grateful to the Jewish Federation
for all the work done in support of helping Survivors
and the aid given to Israel.”
Daniel Goldsmith, first-generation Survivor
who was hidden by Catholic clergy
Photo Credit: PhillyBurbs.com
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