Special Passover Series
Claims Conference in the Media | Press Inquiries | Publications | Videos | Updates
For Passover every year, a critical priority for the Claims Conference is ensuring that Holocaust survivors around the world have the supplies and food they need to celebrate and partake in the Pesach holidays. This year, as we work our way to the holidays, we would like to highlight a few of our partner agencies who make that priority a reality.
ROMANIA
The observance of Jewish traditions and serving of specific dishes bring comfort and a sense of security to Holocaust survivors – this is especially true during the Passover holidays. For survivors in Romania, the Claims Conference funds food package deliveries through our long-standing partnership with the Federation of Jewish Communities in Romania (FEDROM).
This year, the organization purchased and distributed matza, matza flour, and Pesach food vouchers to more than 500 Holocaust survivors across 35 Jewish communities throughout Romania.
Importantly, the program supported 13 survivors in remote areas where it is difficult and for some, impossible to access a nearby Jewish community. This initiative has been instrumental in providing material assistance while also bringing a sense of community and solidarity to those who have endured so much in their lives. This program reminds survivors that they are not alone and will not be abandoned.
FEDROM’s Pesach food package program not only provides required staples for the Passover holidays to Holocaust survivors, it also plays a vital role in helping them feel included and connected to their community and tradition.
We are grateful to the staff and volunteers that make this kind of critical program a reality. As we sit at our Seder tables, we have in mind, Jews across the globe reading the same text, dipping the same karpas into salt water, eating haroset and remembering the shared experience from thousands of years ago that binds us. Today, remembering those murdered in the Shoah and caring for those Holocaust survivors who need a little extra help, also binds us together.
UKRAINE
For Passover, the Claims Conference is funding Pesach food distribution in countries around the world. Over the past week and in the coming days, many of our partner agencies will be busy ensuring that survivors have everything they need to celebrate.
As part of this Passover food distribution, the Hesed network supervised by the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) has been delivering boxes of matzah to Holocaust survivors across Ukraine. Despite the difficulties brought about by the persistent conflict, severe winter, and economic challenges within Ukraine, Holocaust survivors will now have access to the necessary resources to celebrate Passover with dignity and within community.
More than 6,000 boxes of matzah will be provided to survivors by the Hesed networkd and the JDC in this distribution effort. In and outside Ukraine, volunteers and staff are planning more than 200 in-person and virtual seders to support the celebration of this year’s Passover holidays; these seders are expected to have more than 10,000 participants. Among these Jews across Ukraine who will be celebrating Pesach are more than 8,000 Holocaust survivors.
We are grateful to the staff and volunteers that make this kind of critical program a reality. As we sit at our Seder tables, we have in mind, Jews across the globe reading the same text, dipping the same karpas into salt water, eating haroset and remembering the shared experience from thousands of years ago that binds us. Today, remembering those murdered in the Shoah and caring for those Holocaust survivors who need a little extra help, also binds us together.
ISRAEL
Our partnership with the Lev Chash Association in Israel is in full effect! This year, the Claims conference teamed up with Lev Chash to provide food packages to survivors.
Since 2005, the Lev Chash Association has received funding from the Claims Conference for Passover food packages. We are pleased to support this crucial initiative for nearly two decades. With assistance from literally hundreds of dedicated volunteers, food packages for Passover have been packed and sent to the homes of thousands of Holocaust survivors. The Pesach packages are delivered to the homes of Holocaust survivors enabling them to comfortably celebrate the holiday with their families.
As in years past, volunteers gathered to prepare food packages in advance of an annual Seder luncheon prepared for survivors. The luncheon is attended by staff, volunteers and survivors alike and serves as a great way to kick off the Pesach holiday.
We recognize the importance of this and other ongoing programs provided by Lev Chash and all of our partners. These programs take on a special role during the holidays – food deliveries mean that survivors do not need to worry about how they will be able to participate in celebrations, leaving them to focus instead on spending time with friends and family.
We are grateful to the staff and volunteers that make this kind of critical program a reality. As we sit at our Seder tables, we have in mind, Jews across the globe reading the same text, dipping the same karpas into salt water, eating haroset and remembering the shared experience from thousands of years ago that binds us. Today, remembering those murdered in the Shoah and caring for those Holocaust survivors who need a little extra help, also binds us together.
BOSNIA
For more than 20 years, the Claims Conference has partnered with La Benevolencija, the Jewish Humanitarian Aid Society of the Jewish Community of Sarajevo. With our funding, La Benevolencija manages everything from home care to medical needs for Holocaust survivors throughout Herzegovina and Bosnia.
As part of their services for survivors this Passover season, La Benevolencija has been making home deliveries of Pesach food packages, ensuring that the more than 60 Holocaust survivors in Bosnia have the necessary resources to celebrate Passover.
La Benevolencija offers many comprehensive programs assisting vulnerable Holocaust survivors with all aspects of daily life. A dedicated team of social workers and caregivers provide home care, and a medical team is available for consultations, in-home medical treatments for homebound survivors, and post-hospital rehabilitation. The agency provides transportation, medical equipment, dental care, emergency assistance, food packages, and minor home modifications where needed; they also facilitate a program to reimburse survivors for surgeries and other medical procedures.
La Benevolencija continues to have a tremendous impact on the lives of Holocaust survivors in Bosnia. Their efforts ensure survivors remain in their homes while receiving the care and support they need. This is especially critical during the Passover season, when holiday food purchases may be difficult and survivors may feel more isolated and alone. Partnerships like the one with La Benevolencija show survivors through action that they are not alone and will not be abandoned.
We are grateful to the staff and volunteers that make this kind of critical program a reality. As we sit at our Seder tables, we have in mind, Jews across the globe reading the same text, dipping the same karpas into salt water, eating haroset and remembering the shared experience from thousands of years ago that binds us. Today, remembering those murdered in the Shoah and caring for those Holocaust survivors who need a little extra help, also binds us together.
