First Holocaust Survivor Day Luncheon held in St. Pete

The region’s Jewish community came together Tuesday to celebrate and honor local Holocaust survivors.

The the inaugural Holocaust Survivor Day Luncheon was held at Temple Beth-El of St. Petersburg. Hosted by Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services (JFCS) and the Jewish Federation of Florida’s Gulf Coast, the luncheon recognized the strength and resilience of Holocaust survivors living in the Tampa Bay area.

“This was a day declared to celebrate the living celebrate those that survived,” said Marlene Wain, Holocaust Survivor Program Director for Gulf Coast JFCS. “Most of the other holidays surrounding the Holocaust are about memorializing and remembering those that perished, and we always remember those that perished, but it’s the living that have shown us perseverance against all odds.”

The luncheon was free for Holocaust survivors and their guests. About 100 guests listened to music and speeches, and enjoyed a lunch that was sponsored by area not-for-profit organizations.

The event included remarks from Dr. Sandra Braham, President and CEO of Gulf Coast JFCS, and Maxine Kaufman, Executive Director of the Jewish Federation. Official proclamations honoring the day were read by representatives from the St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch’s office and Tampa Mayor Jane Castor’s office.

“The Holocaust didn’t just happen,” said Dr. Sandra Braham, President and CEO of Gulf Coast JFCS. “It started because of small acts of intolerance and hatred. We want to recognize the impact of ‘othering,’ because it’s happening a lot today. We want to make sure that, as we recognize our need to fight against and recognize injustice, it’s in our collective strength and in our togetherness that we are able to stand as one, repairing the world, healing our past harms and preventing future harms.”

Ray Bassett of Maddock Photography captured keepsake portraits of Holocaust survivors at the event.

In conjunction with the celebratory event, Gulf Coast JFCS reopened its Kavod-Shef 1:1 fundraising match with a goal of raising $200,000 for the Holocaust Survivor Urgent Care Fund. This fund bridges the gap in providing urgently needed home care and vital support services for nearly 300 Holocaust survivors throughout the Greater Tampa Bay region.

According to Gulf Coast JFCS, over 30% of local survivors live in poverty, and for others, the high costs of medical and home care have depleted their financial reserves. Community support from the Holocaust Survivor Urgent Care Fund helps survivors live safely, comfortably and with dignity in their homes for as long as possible.

Wain said that as Holocaust survivors age, it’s important to continue sharing their experiences, teaching lessons that are still just as relevant today. 

“We see what one person’s thoughts created, how easily that happened, and we have to we have to fight that we have to do everything within our power to make sure that never happens again,” Wain said. “One of the ways is to retell their stories. We want to remember them, and we want those stories to live on.” 

Since 1974, Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services has been providing resources for all ages to nearly 30,000 people each year, including health, housing, workforce development and refugee services.

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