There is nothing quite like visiting survivors of the Holocaust and watching their larger-than-life outlook illuminate a room. On June 4th, just before the start of Shabbat, Bozena Gasiorowski and Rita Tager — representatives from Helping Hand Coalition — along with Lena — from the local municipality — traveled to Or Akiva to attend a Shalom House event hosted by Sofia, leader of Beit Ham.
After more than a year of irregular meetings due to the pandemic and recent war conflict, May 26th was a night for celebration and community.
The Shalom House Project hits the road! After months of cancelled events and a nationwide lockdown, it was a thrill to gather in small groups with the survivors of the Holocaust and celebrate life amid this season of Covid-19. With strict restrictions in place to prevent the virus’ spread, the team travelled to hostels and a meeting hall to perform, share, gift, commemorate, encourage, and celebrate with the survivors.
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Thirteen years ago, Helping Hand Coalition partnered with GAiN (Global Aid Network), an international organization established in Germany by Klaus and Claudia Dewald, to aid survivors of the Holocaust and World War II veterans throughout the Land of Israel. Pairing a German individual or family, mostly Christians who have a heart for the Jewish people, with those who were affected by the events of the Holocaust, the GAiN Sponsorship Program is a project that has built a bridge between Germany and Israel. Assisting more than 350 people, the program has continued to grow over the years, sparking joy and gratitude in the lives of both the survivors and sponsors.
Each week, the Shalom House Project is privileged to host artists from around the world to perform for the survivors of the Holocaust. On March 3rd, the HHC Caesarea Villa welcomed eighteen survivors from Children of War, based in Netanya, to attend a concert by Maurice Sklar. An incredible violinist who has performed with the British Philharmonic Orchestra and in front of thousands of people, Maurice filled the Villa with sweet melodies, both old and new, for the audience’s enjoyment.
On February 24th, Hope Alive, a group from the south of Germany, was invited to the HHC Caesarea Villa to perform a play about a lost son and loving father. The afternoon was exceptional, as love was poured out and received by each person in attendance.
For the third time in one week, a Shalom House event took place at the HHC Caesarea Villa. On February 21st, twenty survivors of the Holocaust from Children of War, based in Netanya, and forty-five visitors from Heights Church Arizona, who are on tour with Radiant Israel, congregated at the Villa for a time of entertainment, community, and encouragement.
On February 20th, Helping Hand Coalition open the HHC Caesarea Villa doors for a group from Kfar Saba and Petah Tikva to host a Shalom House event. Orna Grinman and her team brought a unique piece to the afternoon’s event, highlighting their talents and also sharing their love with the 48 survivors in attendance.
Helping Hand Coalition, which aids thousands of survivors of the Holocaust living in Israel, hosted a level delegation from Nepal this week. The trip was part of the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, continuing its extensive activity of preserving Holocaust memory and distributing groceries to survivors with a total value of over 10 million shekels a year.
The sun was shining, and energies were high as twenty survivors from Kiryat Haim arrived at the HHC Caesarea Villa for a Shalom House concert. It was an afternoon of new beginnings, celebrations, hallelujah choruses, and moving performances. Present at the event were two very special guests from Your People My People – Karen Gower and Amanda Harris – who have been supporting the Shalom House Project since the beginning, along with their two guests, Katie and Carolin.
On February 10th, Israel celebrated Tu BiShvat, also known as the New Year of Trees. It is a Jewish custom that, on this day, Jews gather together to celebrate the fruit that has grown and plant trees with their families. Helping Hand Coalition celebrated this radiant day by inviting twenty survivors from Haifa to the HHC Caesarea Villa to enjoy music performed by local musicians and scrumptious food grown in the Land.
Helping Hand Coalition 