On The Other Hand

A friend was in Israel recently on a congregational mission. They spent time serving needy elderly folks at a J’salem soup kitchen, where they were told to expect to see Holocaust survivors.  Sure enough, she saw tattoos on the arms of individuals reaching for their plates.  At the time I couldn’t understand how Holocaust survivors could be so desperately poor given the claims conference funds. Now I read your blog. In our own community there are survivors who question how restitution funds are disbursed thru our Assoc’d agencies.  To my mind, it is disgraceful (and SO “unJewish”) to build memorials and sponsor programs before even the most essential needs of survivors are met, especially as their medical issues increase with age.  I think in years to come that those individuals involved in this process will be judged harshly, as well they should be. the Jewish leadership and organziations who have stood on the sidelines will share the blame and shame. How can the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Org’ns NOT take up this issue?  Chilul haShem? yeah, I think so.