July 8th, 2026 – It was a privilege to spend time with Aron Molotkovsky, a 94 year old Holocaust survivor from Ashdod.

For many years, Aron served as the head of Amutat Zicaron, an organization that he founded that once supported at least 350 Holocaust survivors in Ashdod and several thousand more in the surrounding cities. Sadly, only around 50-70 Holocaust survivors remain alive today in Ashdod.

Born in Ukraine, Aron survived the Holocaust against unimaginable odds. During our visit, he shared some of his childhood memories. He was just 9 years old when the Nazis occupied his town. He recalled surviving the firing squads while so many Jewish families in his community were murdered. To protect him, his mother dressed him in a dress (to appear as a girl) so the Nazis would not inspect him for circumcision, as they were identifying Jewish boys and executing them. He also remembered local residents in Ukraine telling his mother that they were carrying out these horrific acts because they had been ordered to do so by Hitler.

Nearly 40 years ago, Aron and his beloved wife, Claudia, immigrated to Israel and built a new life together. Sadly, Claudia passed away three years ago, and it is clear that Aron still misses her deeply.

It was truly an honor to visit Aron. His warmth, strength, and resilience are remarkable, and his testimony is a powerful reminder of both the horrors of the Holocaust and the enduring courage of those who survived. May we continue to listen, remember, and ensure that these stories are never forgotten.