Congressman Daniel Goldman Joins JCCGCI in Visits to Holocaust Survivors

Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney (JCCGCI) was honored to be joined by Congressman Daniel Goldman to deliver hot meals to some of our Holocaust Survivor clients. Joined by JCCGCI’s Director of Holocaust Survivors Support Systems Division Hudi Falik, Congressman Goldman visited the homes of two Survivors who reside in the Borough Park neighborhood of Brooklyn.

The two survivors, Mr. David Einhorn and Mr. Lipot Weiss, were both deeply touched by the visit, and the opportunity to share their stories of survival and endurance with the Congressman. Indeed, with the walls of their homes adorned with photos of their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, the message was clear: their legacies are the generations that they’ve built.

They were gratified to hear about Rep. Goldman’s ongoing efforts to ensure Holocaust education across the country, and his work to reduce antisemitism, which has been on the rise in the last several years. A report from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) released in March, indicated that antisemitic hate crimes in the United States rose 36% in 2022, reaching the highest recorded level since 1979.

Congressman Goldman was joined at the visits by his Chief of Staff Haley Scott, and his Field Representative Jack Plushnick.

Congressman Goldman said, “It was a truly humbling experience to meet with Holocaust survivors David Einhorn and Lipot Weiss and hear their stories. Thank you to the JCCGCI for organizing this visit. We must continue to pass on these stories and lessons so that the evils of the past are never repeated.”

JCCGCI’s Holocaust Survivor Support System is one of the largest such providers in the country, serving close to 3,000 Holocaust Survivors across Brooklyn. Services include homecare, transportation, case management, homebound visitation, socialization, and home-delivered meals. In 2022, JCCGCI provided 1.2 million units of service to Survivors, including 1,159,997 hours of homecare (mostly personal care such as assistance with bathing, dressing, meal preparation and other essential activities); 33,653 trips to (mostly) medical appointments; 12,339 hours of case management; 1,606 hours of homebound visitation; dozens of socialization events, and 5,154 home delivered meals. Funding for these services are generously provided by The Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (the “Claims Conference”), Office of the Governor and the NYS Legislature (through NYS Office for the Aging), the New York City Council (through NYC Aging), and private foundations and donors.

Rabbi Moshe Wiener, Executive Director of JCCGCI, said, “Congressman Goldman has been an outspoken voice on behalf of Jewish New Yorkers, fighting for resources, combatting antisemitism, and urging Holocaust education. We are grateful that he took the time to join JCCGCI in delivering hot meals to Holocaust Survivors, demonstrating his continued passion for their care and support. We look forward to an ongoing partnership, for the benefit of Holocaust Survivors across the country.”

Hudi Falik said, “It was deeply moving to join Congressman Goldman on these visits. Providing support for Holocaust Survivors is a duty that we at JCCGCI consider sacred, and it was especially impactful to see that same passion reflected in such an important public figure. We are grateful for the opportunity to work with Rep. Goldman and his team on this effort.”