Holocaust Remembrance 2026

Leading up to International Holocaust Remembrance Day, observed annually on January 27, JFS Silicon Valley was invited to participate in a press conference hosted by San Jose Councilmember David Cohen at San Jose City Hall on Monday, January 26.  

JFS Silicon Valley was honored by a proclamation from the Board of Supervisors for International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Supervisor Susan Ellenberg delivered a powerful speech about the antisemitism plaguing our world today, and acknowledged the work of Jewish Family Services in serving Holocaust Survivors in our community.  Read Supervisor Ellenberg’s speech here.

We also received a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from Congressman Sam Licardo for our work with Holocaust survivors, and Assemblymembers Gail Pellerin and Patrick Ahrens presented a Certificate of Recognition as well. Additionally, Councilmember David Cohen commended JFS of Silicon Valley and Jewish Silicon Valley for our partnership on Operation Dignity, a campaign to support the emergency needs of Holocaust survivors. For more about the ceremony and JFS Silicon Valley’s role in supporting Holocaust survivors, check out the coverage in the East Bay Times.

International Holocaust Remembrance Day marked a meaningful moment for our JFS Holocaust Services Care Management Team. At a ceremony at San Jose City Hall on Tuesday, January 27th, Councilmember David Cohen and Mayor Matt Mahan recognized the team’s dedication and hard work in serving survivors. Mayor Mahan presented a proclamation to CEO Susan Frazer and nine members of our Holocaust Services Care Team who attended the ceremony.

On Wednesday, January 28th, JFS Silicon Valley was honored to host 144 Holocaust survivor clients and their family members at a Holocaust Survivor Recognition Lunch. The lunch was held at Congregation Beth David, where JFS honored them for their resilience and celebrated their lives.  Guests enjoyed a delicious kosher lunch, singing by a Russian Choir, and special guest Aida Zyablikova, BAFTA award-winning animation director and writer.

“It was inspiring and uplifting to be in the presence of so many survivors, a living testament to resilience, strength, and hope,” said Debbie Michels, VP of Community Engagement for JFS Silicon Valley.

Our Commitment to Holocaust Survivors in Silicon Valley

Currently, JFS Silicon Valley serves 359 Holocaust survivors living in the Bay Area. Our Holocaust Survivor Care Managers play a crucial role in their well-being by assessing functional and personal needs. They are also instrumental in helping them access available services and funding. 

When asked what this program means to her, Senior Care Manager Lucy Istomina said,

“Working as a case manager with Holocaust survivors is both a profound responsibility and a privilege for me. It goes beyond services and paperwork.  It means honoring their stories, protecting their dignity, and showing up with compassion every day.

I also see my work as a case manager with Holocaust survivors as a personal mission. My mother survived the occupation of Kyiv during WWII, and supporting survivors today feels like a way to honor what she endured and to give back with compassion and respect.”

Additionally, we are pleased to partner with Jewish Silicon Valley to raise funds to support Holocaust survivors.  Operation Dignity is our 2026 fundraiser to raise $110,000, which will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Joseph Gringlas KAVOD SHEF National Fund for a total of $220,00 to pay for emergency expenses for survivors, including dental, medical, hearing aids,  essential home items, and unexpected expenses.

Operation Dignity runs from now through May 1, 2026. For more information and to donate see the Operation Dignity flyer.

Honor Them By Getting Involved

You can enrich the lives of survivors by volunteering to provide transportation, serving as a friendly visitor and supporting the Berkowitz Kosher Food Assistance Fund, which provides food support for survivors facing food insecurity.  To volunteer, click the link below.

Volunteer Today!