About the Association

Association of Survivors of Concentration Camps

(of Greek origin, living in Israel)

About the Association:

Background – There were 33 Jewish communities in Greece on the eve of World War II, and these comprised approximately 80,000 individuals, most of whom lived in the community of Thessaloniki. The communities included "ancient" communities (those over 2,000 years old, dating back to the Hellenistic period), "old" communities (about 2,000 years old – Jews who were expelled after the destruction of the Temple) and "new" communities (about 500 years, since the expulsion from Spain).

In April 1941 the Germans occupied Greece and from 1943 they started sending the Jews to the death camps in Poland (mainly Auschwitz). After the war ended only a small number of Greek Jews remained (whereas in Thessaloniki over 90% of the city's Jews had been exterminated). After the war most of the survivors immigrated to Israel and raised families there.

One of the outstanding achievements of the Association over the years had been to achieve recognition of the fact that so many Jews of Greek origin were also exterminated during the Holocaust; to preserve the memory of the Greek Jews who were exterminated; and to remember the 33 communities which were destroyed by the German Nazis and those who supported them in the Holocaust, to remember and never forget!

1. The Association was founded in 1953, approximately 10 years after beginning the extermination of Greek Jews and the destruction of 33 communities, and only a few years after liberation from the extermination camps.
2. The Association of Survivors of Greek origin still numbers about 150 survivors of extermination and death camps, partisans, those who were hidden, and also about 700 members of their families and the next generation.
3. The Association is managed by members of a Board of Directors, including the Chairman, all of whom are volunteers.
4. The Association is a member of the Center Organizations of Holocaust Survivors in Israel, and has representatives in various Holocaust survivors’ committees, including the "Parliamentary Committee for Holocaust Survivors".

The primary activities of the Association:

• To commemorate the Greek Jews who were exterminated during the Holocaust.
• To do whatever is needed to preserve the heritage of Greek Jewry, and all of its 33 magnificent communities.
• To act to preserve the rights of the Association's members.
• To assist the members of the Association and to support them, materially and spiritually.
• To provide financial support / assistance for members in need and for widows of members in need, even if they themselves are not Holocaust survivors.
• To provide spiritual and mental support and help for fellow Holocaust survivors.
• To integrate the next generations – those who did not experience the Holocaust personally – into the activities of the Association; especially in the field of commemoration and instilling awareness about the Holocaust and heroism in general, and of Greek Jews in particular.
• Holding memorial gatherings in memory of 33 Greek communities which were destroyed during the Holocaust (in synagogues, at Yad Vashem, and so forth).
• Holding inter-generational events throughout the year, especially at holidays: Hanukkah, Pesach, Rosh Hashanah.
• Holding informative conferences about the rights of the survivors, in cooperation with the appointed offices and the Center Organizations.
• Establishment, operation and regular updating of electronic media sites (website, Facebook) for the participation of survivors and their families; commemoration of the dead and their families; preserving the heritage; participation of the second, third and even the fourth generation!
• Distributing gifts to survivors during the holidays and to members in need.
• Raising a toast on holidays – particularly before Passover and Rosh Hashanah.
• Operating a Club for survivors in the Association, including:

• The option of coming to the Club every day until the afternoon, where there is television, internet, books, music.
• Enrichment studies, culture, Greek study groups and Greek dancing.
• Having trips for survivors and their families
  • Holding a ‘Kabbalat Shabbat’ reception once a month (prior to Rosh Chodesh) in the style of Greek Jews. This will be held in the Thessaloniki synagogue in the Shapira neighborhood in Tel- Aviv, and will also include songs, food, drinks, ‘stories from home’, lectures and so on.

Objectives  

The Association is a home (in all senses) for the older surviving members of the Association (most of whom are 80-years-old or more) as well as members of the next generations; concern for the survivors who live amongst us; perpetuating the memory of those Greek Jews who perished; preserving the relationship with the communities in Greece and preserving the heritage of the Greek communities (by means of: events, ceremonies, celebrations, an active website) and the integration of the generations to come.

We hold commemorative and memorial events as well as happy events honoring the survivors (whose number is unfortunately decreasing over the years) and their families. Additionally, for the Holocaust survivors we held a happy event on Purim, a festive Seder at Pesach, a Bar/Bat Mitzvah for survivors and we plan to conduct a large inter-generational event at Rosh Hashanah and Hanukkah; this is in addition to many ongoing events throughout the year, all of which are held together with Holocaust survivors and their families.

In order to lessen the feeling of loneliness of older survivors we also try to organize joyful events (including music and food) to which their families are also invited; these include ‘Kabbalat Shabbat’ at the Thessaloniki Synagogue in the Shapira neighborhood, which has been proven to raise their spirits and their sense of togetherness.

Sources of budget 

To operate and finance the ongoing activities of the Association for Holocaust survivors we rely mainly on volunteers and donations (in addition to membership fees, appeals to private donors, appeals to institutional and government entities).

The Association's Club

Open Sunday to Thursday (from 09:30 – 13:30) for the benefit of the survivors and members of the Association. The Club has a library, cold/hot soft drinks, board games, television, computer, internet, songs in Greek, a karaoke system.

Coordinator of Members

To be found at the Association every day from 09:30 – 13:30, and able to provide telephone and personal response to the members of the Association who call to find someone to listen to them; or physically come to the Club with questions, problems, for conversation, for someone to show an interest in their well-being, someone who is familiar with the members of the Association.

Volunteers

Apart from 9 volunteer board members there are 3 more volunteers who help and assist on an ongoing basis and who are in contact with the members of the Association.

Greek lessons at the Club – taking place every week.

Greek dancing lessons – these used to take place.

Traditional Greek Kabbalat Shabbat

These are held every Friday before Rosh Chodesh of the Hebrew Calendar, in the Thessaloniki Synagogue, in the Shapira neighborhood (normally about 30 people participate).

A variety of lectures

Given by Miko Menahem (usually), Attorney and Historian, Board Member – at the Thessaloniki Synagogue in the Shapira neighborhood.

Issuing a journal

Printed and digital for Holocaust survivors and their families: the journal includes articles from Holocaust survivors; articles by second and third generation family members; reports on the events and conferences of the Association and all relevant updates on the activities of the Association; details regarding the rights of the survivors and so forth. Preparation and publication of the Association Journal twice a year, at Pesach and at Rosh Hashanah. Link to "Voice of the Survivors" on the Association's website: https://ighs-israel.org/

Operation, development and maintenance of the Association's website (link to the website: https://ighs-israel.org/) and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/HAMGM939.

Sincerely,

Itzik Kapetas – Chairman