California
Compensation
Direct compensation payments are made from the Article 2 Fund and the Hardship Fund. The Claims Conference negotiates on an ongoing basis with the German government to include additional Nazi victims in compensation programs, increase payments, and provide increased funds for social services.
Cuts to federal Supplemental Security Income and adult day health care, the elimination of Dentical, the rising cost of housing, and the overall impact of the economic downturn have had a significant effect on Nazi victims residing in California, leading to increased dependence on social service agencies. The Claims Conference funds agencies in and around Los Angeles, San Francisco, Berkeley, Orange County, Long Beach, Silicon Valley, and San Diego.
Los Angeles
The Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles (JFSLA) Holocaust Survivor Program helps frail, socially isolated, and financially needy Nazi victims maintain a high quality of life with dignity and independence. The agency provides case management, consultation and counseling, transportation, information and referral, advocacy and assistance with forms, friendly visiting, home-delivered meals and congregate meals, home safety and repair programs and a wide range of activity and counseling groups. With Claims Conference funding, JFSLA provides more than 800 Holocaust survivors with services such as in-home care, as well as financial assistance to help survivors who are unable to pay for their daily living expenses, such as medical and dental care and other emergency needs. Socialization services consist of two Café Europa Programs as well as two Child Survivor Programs and a Russian Survivor Program in the L.A. area.
The Holocaust Services Project of Bet Tzedek Legal Services helps Nazi victims secure compensation and restitution payments, public benefits, health care, safe housing, and caregiver support. The German Ghetto Work Payments Clinic and the Holocaust Reparations Clinic train volunteers and assist Nazi victims with filing claims; these clinic models are being reproduced around the country. Approximately 1,000 Nazi victims benefit from Bet Tzedek’s services, supported by the Claims Conference.
Jewish Healthcare Foundation (Avraham Moshe and Yehudis Bikur Cholim) provides social services to Holocaust survivors through the Holocaust Survivors Assistance Program (HSAP). HSAP offers a range of social services and medical subsidies, with homecare, case management/patient advocacy, and medical services such as health care, medications, therapy, and medical equipment supported by the Claims Conference.
San Francisco
Homecare, case management, emergency assistance, and several weekly socialization programs provided by the Jewish Family and Children’s Service of San Francisco are funded by the Claims Conference. More than 1,000 Nazi victims receive these services as well as counseling, home-delivered kosher meals, medical and dental care and equipment, and transportation.
Berkeley
Jewish Family and Children’s Services of the East Bay in Berkeley serves more than 300 Nazi victims. Case management, counseling and a support group, emergency financial assistance, homecare, socialization programs, medication subsidies, and a food program are provided with the help of Claims Conference grants. Monthly Café Europa events are held in Contra Costa and Alameda counties, including speakers, support groups, Jewish film and music festivals and programs, Yom HaShoah commemorations, and holiday meals.
Orange County
The Jewish Family Service of Orange County in Irvine serves approximately 120 Nazi victims with case management, homecare, emergency assistance, and a Café Europa socialization program.
Long Beach
Jewish Family and Children’s Service in Long Beach provides case management, homemaker services, emergency financial assistance, and socialization for Nazi victims living in the area. A small number of these survivors also receive transportation, meals, and medication through ongoing grants.
Silicon Valley
The Jewish Family Service of Silicon Valley in Los Gatos provides case management, counseling, home-care, emergency assistance, and transportation with the help of Claims Conference grants. Nazi victims also have access to a wide array of wellness programs, a friendly visitor program, a Jewish holiday package service, and a Shabbat visit/meal service.
San Diego
Jewish Family Service of San Diego’s SOS program for Nazi victims includes homemaker services, personal and respite care, case management, and a senior socialization and support group called Copley Café. Claims Conference allocations are focused on in-home care and case management.
The New Life Club is a survivor-run organization that hosts annual Café Europa events for more than 100 members in the San Diego area.
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