Adele was a child living in Poland when the German invasion, and the Jewish persecution that followed, changed her life forever.

In cities like Lodz, where Adele was born, the Nazis confined Jews to sections of town called “ghettos.” Fearing the worst, Adele’s mother found a way to smuggle her daughter out of the ghetto. First they hid in the woods. Then they made their way to Russia, where they stayed until the Nazis were defeated.

Thanks to the help of her mother and others, Adele survived the Holocaust – when the Nazi regime killed more than six million Jews and others during World War II.

Now, more than 70 years after surviving one of history’s worst horrors, Adele and other aging Holocaust survivors need help again.

Adele is one of the 1,500 Holocaust survivors who call Broward County home, according to the Jewish Federation of Broward County. Florida is home to one of the largest Holocaust survivor populations in the U.S. and about 97 percent of those survivors live in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties.

As Holocaust survivors like Adele grow older, they often don’t have loved ones remaining to help care for them. Many are outliving retirement savings. Unexpected expenses can force them to choose between filling a prescription, buying groceries or other essentials.

Thanks to donor support for Kavod SHEF, Holocaust survivors are getting emergency financial aid to help them live their lives to the fullest.

“Kavod” in Hebrew means honor and respect. SHEF stands for Survivors of the Holocaust Emergency Fund. This emergency fund for Holocaust survivors pays for groceries, rent or mortgages, utility bills, home repairs, appliances, medical expenses and more.

The Jewish Federation of Broward County and Goodman Jewish Family Services are among the local organizations that find opportunities for this fund to help Holocaust survivors in need.

That’s how support from Kavod SHEF helped Adele. As a widow living alone in Hallandale Beach, Adele was struggling to make do with a leaking refrigerator that failed to keep her food fresh. A care manager from Goodman Jewish Family Services helped Adele access support from Kavod SHEF to replace her refrigerator.

Helping Holocaust survivors live independently in their homes has been a major struggle through the years. Kavod SHEF offers a life-changing source of support for groceries, hearing aids, dental care and other opportunities to assist Holocaust survivors in need.

“Kavod SHEF’s support is extremely needed in assisting the Holocaust survivors community in Broward County,” said Eric Troy, Director of the Holocaust Survivors Assistance Program at Goodman Jewish Family Services. “The time of helping Holocaust survivors is running short. Kavod SHEF helps survivors live independently, with dignity, in their own homes.”

Here's How You Can Help

The Community Foundation of Broward has long collaborated with the Jewish Federation of Broward County and Goodman Jewish Family Services to help seniors overcome hardships so they can live life to the fullest.

By establishing or adding to a charitable fund at the Community Foundation, you can provide ongoing support for Kavod SHEF and other opportunities to support the Jewish Community.

To learn more, Contact Amanda Kah, Director of Donor Services, at akah@cfbroward.org or 954-761-9503.

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Fundholder Support

Kenny and Sandy Tate use their charitable fund at the Community Foundation of Broward to support Holocaust survivors as well as the dedicated nonprofit organizations working hard to get survivors the help they need.

“Holocaust survivors have endured so much. We fully support outreach efforts and emergency aid that helps them stay in their homes and peacefully enjoy their remaining years.” – Kenny and Sandy Tate, Community Foundation Fundholders

Contact the Community Foundation of Broward at info@cfbroward.org or 954-761-9503.