KAVOD-Ensuring Dignity for Holocaust Survivors

KAVOD's mission is to provide aid to Holocaust Survivors who have emergency day to day needs as a secondary resource. We serve Holocaust Survivors living at risk or below the poverty line in the United States. KAVOD is designed to make sure these men and women live out their remaining years with dignity and respect by issuing aid in the most dignified and trauma informed way. KAVOD partners with agencies, such as Jewish Family Services, that are already serving Survivors in order to connect with these individuals in a strictly confidential basis.

It is estimated that there are approximately 80,000 Survivors living in the United States (as of 2019) and over 1/3^rd of them are living at or near poverty levels. It is unconscionable and unacceptable that these courageous people, who’ve endured so much already, are living their remaining years without basic necessities. The support these Survivors receive does not allow them to afford what is needed to live a dignified life. Many are choosing between heat or food, medicine or rent. Others have dire living conditions because they cannot invest what is needed to repair their homes.

When forming our organization, it was made apparent that although there are organizations offering aid, there was a gap in aid for Emergency situations. When it comes to emergency needs these vulnerable seniors needed an additional option. Sometimes, the Emergency is their day-to-day struggle to make ends meet. KAVOD makes the commitment to assist in filling the gap. It is also part of their mission to give 100% of all dollars KAVOD receives to the Survivors. 

The KAVOD SHEF Match INITIATIVE:

In Spring of 2019, KAVOD, in partnership with Seed The Dream Foundation, announced the KAVOD SHEF (Survivors of the Holocaust Emergency Fund) Initiative to bring this effort to new heights. KAVOD SHEF exponentially multiplies the dollars (and critical services) directly reaching Survivors and serves as a secondary resource. In partnership with Seed The Dream Foundation, KAVOD is committed to this vital emergency effort, leveraging the dollars raised through a special philanthropic national matching initiative led by Seed The Dream Foundation, and ensuring that 100% of the matching funds will go directly toward Survivor services.

Recognizing the importance of reaching any Survivor regardless of where he or she lives, KAVOD SHEF works with designated communities across the United States to bring millions of additional dollars to the Survivor community. 

Urgent and critical Emergency Services eligible for coverage through KAVOD SHEF include: 

▪      Dental

▪      Vision

▪      Medical

▪      Food

▪      Emergency Home Care

▪      Emergency Transportation 

▪      Emergency Home Services (Emergency Utilities, Home Repair, and Rent Support) 

▪      Essential Home Needs

▪      PPE(COVID Related)

KAVOD SHEF funds are being utilized quickly as a secondary resource, with few restrictions, to address the unmet emergency needs of Holocaust Survivors across the United States.