Sixty-four years ago, much of the world stood by as Jews fell victim to Nazi hatred. Today, tens of thousands who miraculously escaped death during the Holocaust live in abject poverty, unable to afford essentials such as food, medicine, and adequate shelter. “It is truly tragic,” Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein said. “Having survived untold brutality and deprivation early in their lives, these people now are hungry and forced to live without life's basic necessities."

In response to this epidemic of poverty, The Fellowship has launched a major program to assist Holocaust survivors in desperate need in Israel, the former Soviet Union, Latin America, and Europe. The Fellowship has pledged to give $10,554,470 to 27,785 people in 37 countries by the end of 2008. Through this fund, the survivors are provided with a special gift of $300 to $600.

The outpouring of gratitude among initial aid recipients has been overwhelming. They are comforted, not only by the financial help, but by the love and support they feel when their plights are noticed. You can read letters of thanks from Holocaust survivors helped by this important initiative.

Letters

1. Malde - 85, Ravensbruch Survivor: Read Letter
   Dear Sir, Yechiel Eckstein Rabbi!
   
   Please allow me to thank for the very kind letter (in Hungarian by Claims Conference) which I received with the mentioned 300 us-also its contacts touches me.
   
   Many thanks for all your efforts. My best wishes to you: your family and to our whole nation.
   
   Yours Truly,
   Malde

2. Gyoeri - 84, Auschwitz Survivor: Read Letter
   To Reb Yechiel Eckstein!
   
   Shalom, Jechiel Eckstein! Thank you for the 300USD! Toda raba! Sorry: I don't know English. I can’t write a longue letter. I am an Auschwitz Survivor, 84 years old. I have four sons, four Familys, 12 grand-children, 4 great-grandchildren!
   
   Thank you, Toda rabba!
   Gyoeri

3. Agnes - Budapest, Hungary: Read Letter
   Dear Mr. Honorable Rabbi of IFCJ in the U.S.A.
   
   Thanks for your sending to our New Year/Rosh Hashanah Feast. It was a real surprise. I can’t believe that we remained only 30,000 from the 600,000 Jews of the European horrors of the war-times.
   
   In the name of the Survivors (and all of my lost family-members) I wish you also a good New Year, without any atrotitations, all over the world.
   
   Sincerely yours,
   Agnes

4. Lucia - 80, Auschwitz Survivor: Read Letter
   Respected Mr. Rabbi Eckstein.
   
   I received today your letter and in the same time I am confirming that I already received the payment you sent in Euro to my account.
   
   I would like to thank you very much.
   
   I am one of those who had the worse experiences during the Shoah as I am a survival of the concentration camp Auschwitz and another 6 camps. I was 17 years old then and together with my mother, who helped me. Unfortunately, my father was killed in Ebensee. My brother survived Mauthausen concentration camp and lives today in Israel.
   
   I am today 80 years old and in spite of various sicknesses, I am a very active member of our senior club at the Bratislava Jewish Community.
   
   I respect highly your activities and wish you also in the future all the best, that you would be able for many years to help those who are the neediest.
   
   Sincerely,
   Lucia, Bratislava

5. Marta Slovakia: Read Letter
   Good day, or Shalom Aleichem. Today I visited my mother, who is one of approximately 30.000 people who survived the Holocaust. I would like to thank you in her name for your contribution, which is as you wrote for those who survived WWII. The payment is a bit of satisfaction for my mother, after all this years when nobody was interested about people who survived their own death. It is very sad that this part of history is today often being denied or blurred. I know that we can not always remind every one of the sad moments in history, but we should keep in mind: "that we are all the same, we are all humans". Once again I would like to thank you and Rabbi Eckstein, not so much for the financial help but rather for noticing an old, sick and troubled person.
   
   Marta, Slovakia

6. Eva, Hungary: Read Letter
   Dear Rabbi Eckstein,
   
   Thank you for your wonderful present! We are already old and sick. Our life is very hard in Hungary, you know it!
   
   But this gift shows me, that the world isn’t totally evil.
   
   I wish you good health and long life. With love