Guest Article by my friend and colleague Jane Ginsburg, CEO, Jewish Family Services of Northeastern New York

Yesterday, Jewish Family Services of Northeastern New York (JFS), in partnership with Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York (Federation), had the honor of hosting a luncheon to mark International Holocaust Survivor Day and to celebrate the survivors living here in our Capital Region.

At the luncheon, JFS shared that over the past year, our team devoted nearly 550 hours working directly with more than 50 Holocaust survivors. This work reflects our ongoing commitment to ensuring that every survivor in our community is able to live the rest of their lives with dignity, support, and care.

Our staff walk alongside survivors as they navigate complex documentation, manage the challenges of the healthcare system, and address day-to-day concerns that can otherwise feel overwhelming. Just as important, we are able to provide critical financial assistance for urgent needs—help that can make a profound difference in quality of life.

This effort is strengthened through our partnership with Jewish Federation and through a joint $10,000 matching campaign. With the generous support of the Seed the Dream Foundation, and administered through KAVOD SHEF, this initiative is rooted in the value of Kavod HaBriyot—honoring the dignity of every individual we serve. Thanks to our community’s generosity, more than $20,000 is directed annually to meet the essential needs of Holocaust survivors in our region.

Yesterday, we were privileged to hear from two survivors. One shared his harrowing experience as a five-year-old child, and the extraordinary courage his mother showed to protect him. His story was a powerful reminder of both resilience and hope, and a testament to the strength carried by survivors in our community. It can be viewed at News Channel 10 CBS here.

I am writing today to remind our community that our time to care for survivors is precious. The youngest among them is already over 80, and the oldest are more than 100 years old. While we were honored to gather in celebration yesterday, we are equally honored by the responsibility to provide this critical, ongoing support.

I invite you to join us in meeting this moment. Please consider contributing to help us reach our matching goal and ensure that we continue to deliver the care, dignity, and assistance our survivors deserve. In doing so, we not only support those still with us—we also honor the memory of those we have lost.

For more information or to make a contribution, please visit the Federation’s donation page or send a check to Jewish Family Services or Jewish Federation, indicating your gift is intended for the Holocaust Survivor support match.