Services for Holocaust Survivors

About our Program
The Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre, with generous support from the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, offers a range of services to benefit local Holocaust survivors. a part-time Survivor Services Coordinator assists in assessing and meeting the needs of local survivors.

The following services are provided:

• Financial Aid for those who meet the strict income guidelines
• Group support
• Referrals for professional counselling
• Housing and health care advocacy
• Restitution and compensation assistance
• Social and educational activities
• Annual commemorative events and cemetery services

Monthly Survivor Drop-in Program
You will have an opportunity to meet with other survivors and discuss a variety of topics of common interest such as aging, health issues, relationships, reparations, family and Judaism. This program generally meets on the second Tuesday of every month, September to June, in the VHEC from 2-4pm. Refreshments are served.

Monthly Child Survivor Drop-in
Join other Child Survivors and Hidden Children in discussion of their shared experiences. This group meets monthly to exchange ideas, they produce the No Longer Alone page in the VHEC newsletter and hold special events throughout the year. Contact the VHEC for information.

Community Commemorations
Survivors are encouraged to attend and participate in the following annual commemorative events:

Kristallnact Commemorative Lecture
A community-wide scholarly talk on the Holocaust held in November each year at the Beth Israel Synagogue.

Yom HaShoah
A community-wide commemorative event held on the 27th of Nissan each year.

Cemetery Services
The services are held twice a year at the Holocaust Memorial located at Schara Tzedek Cemetery during the High Holidays and YomHaShoah.

Holocaust Restitution Information
We provide current information on a variety of restitution and compensation funds. Survivors can receive assistance in filling out restitution and compensation claim forms. Forms for some funds are available at the VHEC.

Additional Services
Jewish Family Service Agency offers emergency financial assistance to Jewish Holocaust survivors, funded by the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany. Funds are available to those survivors who meet strict income guidelines.

For more information

About additional services offered,
contact JFSA-Senior's Department
604.257.5151

About Holocaust Restitution,
Gisella (Gisi) Levitt
Coordinator of Survivor Services
604.264.0499

OFFICE HOURS: 9-5 Wednesday and one Friday a month. (Please call for a Friday appointment.)