Healing Loneliness Through Community

For many Holocaust survivors in Israel, the greatest threat they face today is not only the memories of the past — it is the loneliness of the present.

Decades after surviving the unthinkable, thousands of elderly survivors now live alone, carrying layers of trauma that resurface with every new crisis. Research shows that survivors experience higher rates of PTSD, depression, and anxiety than any other elderly population in the country.

Events like the October 7th attacks from Gaza and the war with Iran reawaken old wounds, leaving many feeling vulnerable, forgotten, and emotionally overwhelmed.

Yet in the midst of this, something extraordinary is happening.

At the Shalom House gatherings hosted by Helping Hand Coalition (HHC), survivors are finding what trauma has long tried to steal from them: connection, dignity, and joy.

A Festival of Light in Netanya

On December 18th, a group of survivors from Netanya stepped into the warm glow of the Shalom House in Caesarea. What awaited them was more than a Hanukkah celebration — it was a reminder that they are not alone.

Bozena Gasiorowski welcomed each guest with the tenderness of a family member. Reuven Bronshtein read poetry that stirred memories. A lively Hanukkah quiz filled the room with laughter. And as traditional songs rose in familiar melodies, something softened in the air — a shared sense of belonging.

One survivor later said, “This is the only place where I feel truly seen.”

Why These Gatherings Matter

Loneliness is one of the most painful legacies survivors carry. Many lost entire families during the Holocaust. Others immigrated alone, rebuilt alone, and now age alone.

Shalom House gatherings offer:

A safe space to share stories and emotions

Warm meals and meaningful conversation

Music, culture, and celebration that awaken cherished memories

A community that replaces isolation with connection

These moments are not small. They are life‑giving.

________________

Your Support Makes This Possible

Every Shalom House gathering is funded by donors who believe survivors deserve comfort, companionship, and dignity in their final years.

Your gift helps provide:

Transportation for survivors to Shalom House gatherings

Meals, music, and cultural programs

Trauma‑informed support and emotional care

A place where light still gathers, even in difficult times

You can help ensure that no survivor spends their last years in loneliness.

Your generosity becomes part of the light they carry home.

A Light They Can Feel

Your gift brings survivors out of isolation and into community.

Every £25 helps provide transportation, a warm meal, and a place where they feel seen, valued, and remembered.

DONATE