Holocaust Survivors in Israel Annual Report 2014

HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS
IN ISRAEL
2014
The Annual Report
April 2014
Nisan 5774
INTRODUCTION
Background
As of 2014: 193,000 Holocaust Survivors are living in Israel. Two thirds of the
survivors are women and 50,000 of them are living below the poverty line.
Most of the survivors suffer from various medical issues as a direct result from
surviving the holocaust. Those medical issues are lifelong conditions affecting
the survivors both physically and psychologically and are exasperated with
time.
Every year about 13,000 survivors die in Israel alongside a slight increase of
new populations of Holocaust survivors recognized by the State of Israel and
the Claims Conference for assistance.
Aging
According to the Brookdale Report (2009) by the end of 2008, 45% of
Holocaust survivors were over 80 years old; in 2013 according to our own
survey, 65% of survivors are over 80 years old, and 40% of the survivors are over
86 years old. The average age of a Holocaust survivor in Israel today is 85
years old. About 36% of survivors live alone without any assistance. In 2013,
each month 460 out of 26,000 survivors under nursing care provided by the
foundation passed away. For comparison, in 2012, each month 430 survivors
under nursing care provided by the foundation passed away; in 2011, 420
passed away each month.
Assistance
In 2013, over one third of holocaust survivors in Israel (70,000) contacted the
foundation for assistance. Most of those inquires came from survivors with low
income as defined by the Israeli Ministry of Finance as being “Needy and
Eligible for support”. 45% of those who contacted the foundation were 86
years old and older; 50% were widow/widowers; and 46% of them were from
the central region of Israel.
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In 2013, the foundation processed about 212,000 requests for assistance by
Holocaust survivors through our customer service call centers and in person in
Tel Aviv, Haifa and Be’er Sheba.
As the age of survivors’ increases so does their medical and general needs
increase. In the passing year, 86% of the survivors who contacted the
foundation for financial aid, were living with less than 5,000 NIS per month
(approx. 1400 USD); 66% of the survivors who contacted the foundation for
financial aid were living with less than 3,000 NIS per month (approx. 850 USD).
The Survey
In 2013 the foundation has conducted various surveys (supervised by Rafi
Smith, director of Smith Counseling and Research) among 400 survivors and
among 500 respondents from the general public, showed that over 50% of
survivors are not satisfied with the way the government treats them. One in
five survivors had to give up food / drugs during the past two years due to
economic hardship. 50% of survivors feel lonely and more than 60% are highly
concern about their economic future. 43% of survivors even indicated that
they fear that the Holocaust can return.
46% of Holocaust survivors who are being cared for by the foundation live in
the central region, 31% live in the north and 18% live in the south.
Five Years Window
Since 2014, the amount of survivors living in Israel is reduced year by year,
following the death of about 13 thousand survivors every year and despite
the addition of new populations. Consistent growth in the needs of survivors
will continue until the year 2015. This will be a critical time period for the
foundation in which the expected growth in needs will require additional
funds. In 2016, the trend will stabilize and the following year the trend reversed
and unfortunately, the mortality rate of the survivors will be faster from the
growth of needs. Therefore, a time window of five years, in which ‘a national
last chance effort’ to assist the population of Holocaust survivors in Israel will
ensue.
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The Survey
The Foundation for the Benefit of Holocaust Survivors in Israel
Survey for Holocaust day 2014
A survey conducted by the foundation under the supervision of the Smith
Institute among 400 survivors, which are a representative sample of the
population of Holocaust survivors in Israel, and 500 people, which are a
representative sample of the adult Jewish population (ages 18 and up).
Respondents were asked, among other things, what do they think of the care
provided to Holocaust survivors by the government of Israel. In addition,
Survivors were asked about their current primary needs as they age.
Below are the findings of the survey among survivors:
1) Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the way the Government of Israel take
care of the Holocaust Survivors like yourself?
More than half of survivors reported that they are NOT satisfied with the way
the government is handling their needs.
LEVEL OF SATISFACTION
else
3%
setisfied
42%
Not satisfied
55%
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2) In the passing year (2013) do you feel that the Government of Israel has
improved her treatment of Holocaust survivors in Israel?
Majority noted no significant change; among those who expressed an
opinion, the percentage of those who noted “improvement” was significantly
higher than those who stated “Deterioration‫ ״‬in treatment.
GOVERNMENT TREATMENT
else
1%
improvement
28%
no change
61%
deterioration
10%
3) Do you worry that the Holocaust might reoccur today?
43% from the Holocaust Survivors surveyed were concerned that the
Holocaust might happen again.
FEAR OF THE HOLOCAUST REOCCURRING
else
2%
worry
43%
not worry
55%
5
4) In your opinion, does the ratio between your income and expenditures
allow you to live in dignity?
One third of survivors reported that their low income compared to their high
expenditures does not allow them to live in dignity.
little or not at
all possible
8%
LIVING IN DIGNITY
largely
13%
slightly
23%
in some
extent
56%
5) During the past year were you forced to give up one or more food
products, such as bread, fruit, vegetables, meat, cheese or eggs, because of
your financial situation?
One in five survivors had to give up food during the past two years due to
economic hardship.
GIVING UP ON FOOD
happened
few times
8%
happened
once/twice
11%
not
happened
81%
6
6) During the past year were you forced to give up on medical treatment
and / or medication because of your financial situation?
Almost one in six survivors had to give up purchasing medication and / or
medical treatment because of their financial situation.
GIVING UP ON MEDICATIONS/MEDICAL CARE
hapened few
times
7%
happened
once/twice
10%
not happened
83%
7) Are you aware or not aware of your rights as a Holocaust survivor and if so,
do you feel that you receive the maximum allowed?
Only about half of the survivors are aware of their rights and receive the
maximum allowed. About a quarter said they are not aware of their rights at
all!
MAXIMIZING RIGHTS
not aware
23%
aware but
not
thorough
22%
else
2%
arare and
thorough
53%
7
8) To what extent the apartment where you reside now adapted to your
needs, for example: accessible shower, wide doors to accommodate
wheelchairs, elevator, safety accessories and the like?
One in every six survivors requires special accommodations and alterations
to make his/her apartment meet his/her accessibility needs.
hardly or not
at all
adapted
adjusted
7%
slightly
10%
ACCESSIBLE APARTMENT
else
1%
highly
adapted
25%
quite
adapted
57%
9) To what extend does your future financial situation bothers you?
60% of survivors noted that they are concerned about their future financial
situation.
Future Financial Situation
not
disturbimg
18%
not so
disturbing
22%
very
disturbing
21%
quite
disturbing
39%
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10) As of present time, do you feel lonely?
45% feel lonely.
LONELINESS
not lonely
55%
lonely
most of the
time
19%
lonely from
time to
time
26%
11) Do you agree or disagree with the claim that future generation in Israel
would not remember the Holocaust?
One third of survivors are concerned that future generation would not
remember the Holocaust.
HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE IN FUTURE
GENERATIONS
else
5%
agree
35%
disagree
60%
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Public Survey
1) Do you personally know or knew in the past a holocaust survivor who is alive
today or passed away in the last few years?
Three quarters noted that they know or knew a holocaust survivor personally.
60%
50%
49%
40%
26%
30%
29%
23%
20%
10%
0%
Personally
know a
Holocaust
survivor who
now lives
Know
personally
survivor who
died in last 3
years
Know
personally
survivor who
died more
than 3 years
Not personally
know a
Holocaust
survivor
2) In your opinion, what do you think is the financial situation of most holocaust
survivors living in Israel?
More than half of respondents think that most Holocaust survivors live in
poverty and only 10% noted that the situation of most of the survivors is good
or reasonable.
FINANCIAL SITUATION
poverty
52%
good /
reasonable
10%
good or
reasonable
half and half
poverty
38%
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3) Which organizations take care of Holocaust survivors needs in Israel most?
Foundations were rated number one in providing the best service; only 10%
of the respondents noted that governmental offices provide the most services
to survivors.
42%
35%
31%
10%
Voluntary
organizations
/ NGO's
Relatives of
the survivors
Government
of Germany
Israeli
Government
4) How do you think the government takes care of Holocaust survivors in
Israel?
More than 8 out of 10 people noted that the government’s care of Holocaust
survivors is not good.
GOVERNMENT CARE OF HOLOCAUST
SURVIVORS
very good /
pretty good
16%
not so good
/ not good
84%
00
5) In the past year, since the introduction of the new government, do you
believe that the treatment of Holocaust survivors by the government has
improved deteriorated or did not change?
Although 16% of responders noted that treatment has improved which was
higher from those who noted it got worse (6%); most of responders, 56% noted
that no change has occurred in the treatment of Holocaust survivors while
22% had no opinion, which in itself is very high.
Improvement of treatment toward
Holocaust Survivors
no opinion
22%
improved
16%
deterioration
6%
no change
56%
6) Do you agree or disagree with the claim that future generations in Israel
would not remember the Holocaust, when there will be no survivors Holocaust
alive?
The vast majority think it will remember the Holocaust in the future when the
survivors will not be alive (similar to the survey conducted among survivors)
REMEMBERING THE HOLOCAUST BY
FUTURE GENERATIONS
27%
73%
02
7) Do you worry the Holocaust would reoccur in the future?
Over 40% of responders worry that the Holocaust could reoccur (similar to the
survey conducted among survivors)
Worrying about another Holocaust
not worry
59%
worry
41%
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Health
NURSING CARE
About two-thirds of the Holocaust survivors who require nursing care are over
age 85. 460 Holocaust survivors receiving nursing care from the foundation
die every month. 73% of Holocaust survivors who receive nursing care are
women.
34% of Holocaust survivors who receive nursing care live at home alone, 36 %
live with a partner. According to the Brookdale (2009) report, 62% of survivors
who require nursing care rarely leave their homes, compared with 40% of the
total holocaust surviving population. Similarly, survivors who require nursing
care suffer from loneliness and meet with friends less frequently than the
general population of Holocaust survivors - 65% of Holocaust survivors who
receive nursing care, compared with 48 % of survivors. In addition, the need
for volunteers is 2 times higher among Survivors who require nursing support.
With an aging population of Holocaust survivors, nursing needs grew steadily:
in 2013 an increase of about 6% in quantity of Holocaust survivors who
received nursing assistance during compared to 2012. Between the years
2012-2013 an increase of 13% in the number of Holocaust survivors who
accessed nursing care through the foundation. In total, over the last year the
foundation has treated more than 26,000 survivors with personal limitations of
150% and 168% disability rate received extra 9 hours of nursing care from the
foundation.
Number of survivors who get extra nursing care hours
25,400
22,449
26,335
23,565
20,940
18,708
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
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ASSISTANCE TO SURVIVORS WHO ARE HOSPITALIZED
(SULAM PROGRAM)
Many survivors find themselves without sufficient family and societal support
network, even after discharge from the hospital. The goal of the program is
to help survivors of the Holocaust who are released from hospital to their
homes without the Social Services Nursing Care program before returning to
their full strength. The Sulam program provides survivors with 50 hours of inhome nursing care for two months.
Number of applicants
7791
6925
6010
7188
7116 7259
7317
6374
4019
3936
2419
160
505
1080
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
DENTAL CARE
• The Holocaust survivors who receive assistance through this channel are
overwhelmingly come from a very low Socio-economic status and cannot
afford dental care. Most of the dental care needed is not covered by
national health programs but through supplementary insurance – which most
cannot afford the premiums.
• In 2013 there was 25% increase in applicants for dental care compared to
the previous year.
• The total saving for dental treatments under the Sulam project was valued
at 2 million NIS.
Number of dental referrals
88
116
99
80
2007
2008
2009
2010
133
2011
259
322
2012
2013
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Lonely but not Alone Program
BACKGROUND
Israel is home to approximately 10,000 lonely survivors. According to a study
conducted by Brookdale and commissioned by the foundation in 2009 about
the overall situation of Holocaust survivors in Israel, one of the most difficult
problems which it Holocaust survivors suffer from is loneliness, in which 40% of
the survivors testified that they felt very lonely.
VOLUNTEERS
The foundation recruits and operates over 1700 volunteers across the country
that are in touch with survivors on a weekly basis. In addition, tens of
thousands of individual volunteers and organizations that help Holocaust
survivors on one-time basis are part of the foundation’s volunteer's network.
The amount of the Holocaust survivors benefiting from the foundation’s
volunteer program doubled compared to previous years:
1700
1200
528
190
2010
2011
2012
2013
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EVALUATION PROCESS
The volunteer programs supported by the foundation were professionally
assessed and evaluated measuring its effectiveness in achieving its goals.
Assessment was based on a telephone survey with survivors, computerized
profiles of volunteers and in-depth interviews with survivors. Analysis of the
findings revealed that the programs achieved and even surpassed its goals
and would benefit from expansion.
50% of survivors testified that before the connection with the volunteer, they
felt very lonely or mostly lonely, while 3 months after establishing the social
contact with volunteer loneliness at these levels decreased by 16%.
88% of survivors are interested in contact with a volunteer for social activities;
and all survivors were very satisfied with the volunteer received from the
foundation.
“CONNECTED” PROJECT
One of the programs that was also evaluated in the above process is the
project "Connected" - student volunteers from ORT Israel school network
brought at no cost to the survivors, computers with internet connection,
teaching the survivor basic computer skills and connect the survivor to the
world of internet. Students visiting the survivors regularly at his/her home in
what become a social time.
The following are the finding from the assessment of the program:
-68% of survivors reported that they never worked on a computer before;
-62% of survivors reported that the computer allows them to communicate
with others;
-74% of survivors reported that the computer enriched their social life;
-72% of survivors reported that they use the computer even when the
volunteer students are not present;
-80% of survivors reported that they are interested in continuing hosting
volunteer students; while 90% of survivors want to continue hosting students
for expending their computer skills.
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Living with Dignity
About one-fifth of the survivor receiving support from the foundation reported
in the Brookdale (2009) research project that always or often it was cold
during the winter due to the high costs involved in operating heating. About
a quarter of those who said it was cold, reported that they had no heating
equipment for winter. In addition, many Holocaust survivors live in Israel in
appalling conditions! They live in dilapidated housing and unsafe conditions,
with such as moldy walls, cracked and broken floor tiles, rotten and clogged
pipes, broken bath or showers.
Their housing is not safe and at times is dangerous for both survivors and other
caregivers. Most apartments are not fitted with the appropriate equipment
and finish required for optimal mobility and safety.
The purpose of the project "Living with Dignity" is to relieve needy Holocaust
survivors in Israel by giving them the necessary assistance to renovate their
homes and help them in the purchase of basic equipment in order to
increase their mobility and safety inside the home. Currently the majority of
funding is allocated from the Claims Conference and private donations.
Since the beginning of the project (March 2011), 700 dwellings of needy
Holocaust survivors were renovated to fit the needs of aging and immobile
survivors.
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Recognition of survivorship and rights entitlement
Another problem shared by many survivors of the Holocaust is that they are
not always recognized by the authorities as survivors, or do not utilize their
rights under the law and enjoy additional assistance they are entitled to.
Despite extensive action to try to maximize the rights of Holocaust survivors in
Israel – such as: wide protests of Holocaust survivors and their families in 2007;
a report by former Supreme Court Judge Dalia Dorner and additional report
by the former director of the Ministry of Social Affairs Nahum Itzkowitz;
Holocaust survivors and their rights is still a hot button issue in Israel in need of
further attention and care.
The problem starts with the fact that there isn’t a complete list of all Holocaust
survivors living in Israel. Six government offices, dozens of small and large
foundations - some represent and some care for survivors – each has their
own lists of survivors. Government agencies and organizations are often not
willing to share those lists with each other for various reasons. This creates a
complex bureaucracy that makes the lives of survivors and their families
difficult and disallows them to fully realize their rights as survivors of the
Holocaust.
Examples of Holocaust Survivors who are not recognized as such or cannot
claim assistance:
 Survivors who earn over 8,812 NIS (approx. 2500 USD) per month, do not
receive any support from the National Security Insurance agency and
from most organizations supporting Holocaust survivors;
 Most of those who immigrated to Israel after 1953 are not recognized
as Holocaust survivors;
 The money survivors receive as compensation from the Claims
Conference (as oppose to those who receive their compensation
directly from the German Government) is added as income and
therefore, it is artificially inflates their overall income statement
disallowing them to claim support they are entitled for by the National
Security Insurance and other bodies dealing with survivors rights.
The Israeli Ministry of Finance intends to lead a national project with the
assistance of local authorities, foundations and a large network of volunteers.
This activity must be guided professionally and take place within the next few
years with detailed answers and support for the rights of survivors’ utilization
process, while overcoming bureaucratic obstacles currently in existence.
Recently (April 2014) the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Social Affairs
announced a new program supposed to address problems cited earlier.
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“The last Effort”: Five years window to increase the
support for Holocaust survivors in Israel
According to data collected by the foundation for Holocaust Remembrance
Day 2014 there has been a sharp and sustained increase survivors' needs in
Israel in several areas: increasing health problems that require heavy financial
investment that all elderly survivors cannot afford; difficulty to meet the costs
of living alongside growing medical needs; severe isolation is becoming more
significant alongside growing need for nursing care among survivors.
The population of Israeli Holocaust survivors is dwindling, and we are in a
critical time were the window of opportunity to help survivors is about to be
closed. In the next five years, the balance will change drastically were
unfortunately deceased survivors would exceed those in need of assistance.
The Foundation for the Benefit of Holocaust Victims in Israel was founded by
Holocaust survivors and is managed today by Holocaust survivors and the
second generation. It is a join initiative of the Center of Organizations of
Holocaust Survivors in Israel and the Claims Conference. The foundation aims
to act as the intermediary for the benefit of Holocaust Victims in Israel who
need help in preserving their welfare. In addition, the foundation serves as an
active advocate for survivors’ rights by keeping their plight on the public
agenda on a daily basis.
The Foundation for the Benefit of Holocaust Victims in Israel currently
preparing multi-year plan to adjust solutions and resources needed for the
coming years for the last of the survivors living in Israel. The plan was prepared
with the assistance of the Academic Advisory Committee fund. The
committee headed by Prof. Ariela Lowenstein and senior professors in nine
areas relevant to the operations of the foundation (such as social work,
health, gerontology, mental health, etc.), which are all Holocaust survivors
and/or second generation, laid the basis and rationale for the plan and the
development of new programs.
A decision of the Standing Committee chaired by the CEO of the Prime
Minister’s office, is currently working in a commission headed by Mr.
Menachem Wagshal, to map the needs of the survivors for the next five years,
including solutions and services in need for development and expansion. The
foundation is an active partner in the above process providing expert advice
relying on its experience and knowledge gained in its twenty years of
operation.
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Appendix: A summary of the position paper of the
Academic Advisory Committee
A position paper submitted by the Academic Committee advising the
Foundation for the Benefit of Holocaust Victims in Israel presents a conceptual
framework of values, based on data and research, and derives
recommendations to adjust services to the unique needs of Holocaust
survivors in order to improve the quality of their lives.
In the next few years, Israeli society would have the last chance to make sure
Holocaust survivors benefit from the best treatment possible and the respect
they deserve for all they have done for the State of Israel.
The committee's recommendations are based on consensus that Israel has
supreme moral responsibility and historical and financial commitment to take
care of and promote the health and welfare of all survivors in Israel. The state
of Israel must ensure survivors have adequate standard of living and are free
from existential distress, allowing them to fully access their benefits and to
exercise their rights in respect through an array responses to be adapted,
accessible, satisfying and effective. To enable the realization of these goals,
the committee has recommended regulating the entitlements for benefits of
survivors by law to ensure regular supply of resources required to adequately
provide the above needed services. In addition, the committee has
recommended that an annual budged should be developed and
simplification of bureaucratic procedures be applied to assure the process of
eligibility and the definition of "survivors" is simplified.
This position paper discusses the four following topics:
1. Definition of socio-demographic characteristics of the population of
Holocaust survivors.
2. Analysis of the needs of survivors today.
3. Current responses to service and existing gaps in service delivery
4. Recommendations for improvements.
In 2013 there were 193,000 Holocaust survivors living in Israel. Every year about
13,000 pass away while similar amount of new applicants not previously
recognized or not those who did not seek help before join the list of those who
require support. The family and economic support system of holocaust
survivors is relatively small in comparison to the general elderly population in
Israel. With the expected increase in age, the physical and mental needs of
survivors will intensify. Survivors' needs are multiple and include health and
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general functioning, financial difficulties, social and environmental needs,
and housing; however, the support system is lacking and split between seven
government agencies and dozens of third body organization. This split leads
to aggravation, delay and concern, which are all unnecessary for the family
caregivers. In addition, the committee has noted that due to the lack of one
central coordinating body and duplication of mechanisms a great waste of
precious public resources are the norm.
To ensure adequate quality of life for survivors in their old age the committee
recommends the following: securing an income for survivors so they can live
with dignity; ensuring health services adapted to the needs of survivors (such
as mental health services and health promotion); ensure nursing services
(domestic and community based). Develop programs to reduce social
isolation, improve housing, and develop occupational based activities. It is
recommended to initiate actions to locate and treat survivors from at-risk
populations: Lonely, mentally ill, both spouses are Holocaust survivors,
functional disability, chronic patients and people with dementia. It is
important to establish an appeals committee that will allow the institutions to
provide immediate responses to exceptional cases.
The Committee's main recommendations relate to policies as well as state
bodies and relevant local authorities and government agencies. It was highly
recommended to introduce higher flexibility in setting the bar for eligibility for
assistance based mainly on income rather actual needs; increasing the
provision of services in kind, and to expand the circle services, which are not
based on the income criteria such as cancellation fee for medical services
and drugs. It is also recommended to expand the geographical distribution
of existing services network, especially accessibility of services to the survivor;
expanding the care management model and improve staff professionalism
by providing better training; expanding counseling and legal
accompaniment, and finally expanding the network of volunteers in service
with survivors. Special attention should also be given to the development of
new services that are currently missing, such as: Emergency Home Services,
support system for recovery from illness when necessary, preparing for having
a foreign worker as caregiver, assisted living and preparation to transition into
public institutions, and community based support for social needs. Allowing
Universities and the private business sector to be integrated in providing
services to survivors. Finally, the appointment of an ombudsman for elderly in
Israel is highly recommended.
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Finally, the Academic Committee recommended that services provided to
survivors should be brought under two roofs:
National level - to strive to operate all services provided by the government,
each in its respective fields, under the coordination of one office, preferably
the Ministry of Welfare and Social Services.
Third-body sector level – in the first phase it would be necessary to coordinate
the many bodies under one central organization. The Foundation for the
Benefit of Holocaust Victims in Israel has the experience, ability and readiness
to be the central organization.
It is recommended to restart the commission on inter-ministerial cooperation
established following the Dorner (2007) commission, that would be used as
the upper body coordination and promoting all matters pertaining to
survivors.
Academic Committee Members:
Prof. Ariela Lowenstein, Chairman of the Committee,
Ms. Batya Rappaport, Committee Coordinator
Prof. Yohanan Wozner
Prof. Avraham Doron
Prof. Jacob Menchel
Prof. Yehezkel Teller
Prof. Jacob Lomrnaz
Prof. Moshe Zonnblik
Prof. Hava Golander
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