Standing with Holocaust Survivors in Israel
Picture the unimaginable horrors of the Holocaust, where death loomed around every corner and survival hung by a thread. Hatred for Jews claimed over 6 million lives during WWII, leaving the world outraged and vowing ‘Never Again to let this type of evil exist. Yet, decades later, the echoes of that antisemitic hatred still linger, and Jews continue to face the malevolent spirit today.
Honoring Their Courage and Pain
Today, tens of thousands of Holocaust survivors still live in Israel. When we meet them, we are reminded that these men and women endured unimaginable horrors as children and young people. They were persecuted, starved, hunted, and torn from their families. Many lost everything—parents, siblings, friends, homes. It is almost impossible to imagine what they went through. And yet, they survived. They came to Israel, built new lives, and became living witnesses to God’s faithfulness and human resilience.
However, even here in the land of their forefathers, many still struggle. Some face financial hardships while others suffer loneliness after losing their loved ones. Many wrestle with fragile health and fading strength. At the same time, we see antisemitism rising again across the nations—painfully reminding them of the hatred they knew as children. This is why our Holocaust Survivors Project matters so much. It is a way of saying, “You are not forgotten. You are loved. Your story matters.”
What Your Support Provides
Because of your generosity, our teams are able to regularly visit survivors, bringing them the help they so desperately need such as food packages, clothing, medicine, and practical care. But perhaps even more important than the material support are the smiles, hugs, prayers, and conversations that bring light into their days. Survivors often say what matters most is not only what we give but the attention, dignity, and love they feel through our visits.
Recently, some of them wanted to share their own words with you:
“I was born in August 1941, just as the war began… Out of five children my age in the ghetto, all were murdered. God saved me from that hell. Many thanks to your organization. You help us more than anyone else. My heart is overflowing with gratitude and love for you. Pray for us, and we will pray for you.”
“I am of a very advanced age… Your attention is very important to us. We are endlessly grateful for your care and involvement in the lives of Holocaust survivors.”
“I was in the ghetto until 1943. Your support is very important to me. I personally feel it constantly, and I am even able to share your help with other people in need.”
These are not just words—they are real testimonies. Each one is a reminder that behind the statistics are real people with deep stories, who carry both scars and strength.
A Window of Time
Every year, the number of Holocaust survivors grows smaller. We are painfully aware that the window of time to serve them, to listen to their stories, and to bless them is closing. That is why now is the time to act—with prayer, with generosity, with compassion. Every package delivered, every hug given, every smile shared is a way of answering their unspoken prayer not to be forsaken in their old age.
The psalmist wrote:
“Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone.”
Psalm 71:9
Through your faithfulness, this verse is being fulfilled in the lives of survivors across Israel. You are the answer to their prayer.
Thank you for remembering, for giving, and for standing with us in this holy calling. Together, we can bring light, hope, and dignity to those who have endured so much—and in doing so, we remind the world that the Holocaust must never be forgotten. We can bring change by standing against hatred and sharing Yeshua’s love, bringing healing to those still broken by the past while providing examples for current and future generations.
On behalf of everyone at VOJI and our teams in Israel, we want to pause this week to thank you deeply for standing with our Holocaust Survivors Project. Your support is not only practical—it is profoundly meaningful. Through your partnership, we are making a difference in the lives of some of the most precious and heroic people living in Israel today.