Held in a warm and intimate setting at Merkaz Hasimcha in Brooklyn, the program created a space for attendees to pause and bear witness to the stories of survivors whose experiences continue to shape Jewish memory and collective responsibility today. Guests were welcomed with light refreshments before the evening’s program began, setting the tone for a thoughtful and deeply moving commemoration centered on resilience, remembrance, and the enduring importance of survivor testimony.

The evening featured firsthand testimony from three Holocaust survivors, each sharing deeply personal accounts of survival, loss, displacement, rebuilding, and perseverance in the aftermath of unimaginable tragedy. Their stories offered attendees a rare and powerful opportunity to hear directly from those who endured history’s darkest chapter and emerged with extraordinary courage and strength.

For JCCGCI, this work is not limited to commemorative events or annual observances. It is a daily responsibility carried through one of the largest Holocaust Survivor support programs in the world.

JCCGCI currently serves more than 4,000 Holocaust survivors each year through a comprehensive network of services designed to ensure survivors can age with dignity, security, and compassion. These services include homecare, transportation assistance, case management, home-delivered meals, socialization programs, friendly visiting, Medicaid appeals assistance, counseling support, and other critical resources that address both practical and emotional needs.

Many of the survivors served by JCCGCI are aging, homebound, isolated, or living with financial hardship. For these individuals, support services are not simply conveniences — they are lifelines that provide stability, connection, and care. The organization’s work reflects a broader understanding that honoring Holocaust survivors must extend beyond remembrance alone and include meaningful action that supports their well-being every day of the year.

“Yom HaShoah is deeply personal for all of us at JCCGCI because the survivors we honor are individuals we know personally and work with every single day,” said Yehudah Zellermaier, LCSW, Managing Director of Holocaust Survivor Support Services at JCCGCI. “These are not stories confined to history books. These are living testimonies from people who rebuilt their lives after profound loss and trauma. It is our responsibility not only to preserve their stories, but to ensure survivors continue to receive the dignity, compassion, and support they deserve.”

The event also highlighted the critical importance of continuing Holocaust education and testimony preservation for future generations. As opportunities to hear directly from survivors become increasingly rare, programs such as this serve as an essential reminder of the responsibility to listen, remember, and carry these stories forward.

JCCGCI would like to express gratitude to The Blue Card for its partnership in helping make the evening possible and for its shared commitment to supporting Holocaust survivors. The organization also extends sincere appreciation to the Claims Conference for its continued support of Holocaust Survivor Support services and programs that ensure survivors receive critical care, assistance, and dignity every day. This work would not be possible without the support of dedicated public partners, community leaders, and institutional allies who continue to invest in the wellbeing of Holocaust survivors and help preserve their stories for future generations.

For those who were unable to attend the event in person, recordings of the survivor testimonies and program highlights are available to watch online:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZQAc2a0A0I

As JCCGCI continues its work serving thousands of Holocaust survivors, the organization remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring that survivors are cared for, their voices are heard, and their stories are never forgotten.