Brooklyn Program Supports Holocaust Survivors Facing Trauma and Loneliness

Challenges for Holocaust Survivors

• 💡 Holocaust survivors, particularly those in Brooklyn, face new challenges as they age, including trauma and loneliness.
• ⚠️ The ongoing war in Ukraine and rising anti-semitism have reportedly re-traumatized some survivors.
• 🧠 As defense mechanisms weaken with age, individuals may find it more challenging to suppress or repress decades-old traumatic experiences.

A Supportive Home Visit Program

• 🤝 A program through Maimonides Medical Center, run by Dr. Abraham Ta, offers weekly home visits to survivors.
• 💬 Social worker Olgas Mirnova provides companionship and advice, acting as a trusted friend for survivors like Marad Rifkin.
• 💖 Mirnova emphasizes that childhood experiences cannot be used as a resource for survivors due to the traumatic nature of their past.

The Importance of Connection

• 📞 Marad Rifkin, an 88-year-old survivor, shares his personal story of destruction and displacement during WWII.
• 🫂 He expresses a deep need for connection, urging families to reach out and connect with Holocaust survivors.
• ✨ Simple acts like a phone call can make a significant difference to a generation waiting for someone to reach out.