White Roses and Letters for Holocaust survivors
We present Holocaust survivors in Germany with a high-quality rose box and a handwritten, personal letter. In the face of growing anti-Semitism in the country, we express: We appreciate you and your important testimony!
In 2021 – 76 years after the end of World War II – Germany again saw a worrying rise in anti-Semitic incidents. In the summer of 2021, open expressions of hatred in loud chants against Jews and against the Jewish state of Israel were once again heard on German streets. In particular, the approximately 25,000-30,000 Holocaust survivors still living in Germany suffer from this situation. They have experienced the horrors of the Holocaust first hand.
As followers of Jesus, we are called to stand up in the face of these clear warning signs and make a powerful statement of appreciation and solidarity alongside God’s people.
On the occasion of International Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 27, 2022, the non-profit association “Initiative January 27” plans to present Holocaust survivors living in Germany with a high-quality rose box (consisting of preserved white roses) and a personal, handwritten letter. Not all Holocaust survivors in Germany can be identified. However, through our project partner, the Central Welfare Office of Jews in Germany, we have the exclusive opportunity to present roses and letters to a group of approximately 2,000 Holocaust survivors who regularly visit one of 30 meeting places throughout Germany.
There is a cost of $30.50 per Holocaust survivor (rose box, material costs, shipping). The project management is financed by own funds of the Initiative January 27 as well as by other partners with Christian and Jewish background. We are raising a total of 61,000 USD ($30.50 * 2,000) and are especially inviting believers who have a special connection to Germany and combating anti-Semitism for family-historical or faith reasons to join into this special project.
A Second Home: Meeting Points for Survivors of the Shoah
The Central Welfare Office of Jews in Germany (ZWST) promotes the establishment and work of “meeting points” (Treffpunkt) for survivors of the Shoah in Jewish communities. They offer survivors and their families a place for contact and exchange, facilitate their access to social, cultural and religious offerings, and provide specialized counseling and support. The successful concept finds its origin in the Treffpunkt in Frankfurt/M., which was founded in 2002 as a pilot project of the ZWST. This facility makes an important contribution to the psychosocial care of the often severely traumatized senior citizens. For many visitors, the Frankfurt meeting place has become an important part of their social life, for many the only contact with other people of their generation. In addition to this important function, the Treffpunkt also sees itself as a bridge to existing social offers and services.
In cooperation with various Jewish communities, the ZWST has initiated further meeting places. There are now more than 30 meeting points throughout Germany supported by the ZWST, and others are being established.
“I know from experience how important it is for survivors to have a meeting place that allows them to meet with fellow survivors and with an empathetic care team. This meeting place thus becomes a second home, where one can be sad and talk about the Holocaust as well as be cheerful and celebrate festivities.”
(Dr. Martin Auerbach, psychiatrist, psychotherapist and clinical director of the “Amcha” center for survivors in Israel)
Contact Person
Matthias K. Boehning
First Chairman, Initiative 27. Januar e.V.
+49 (0) 173 – 73 80 211
matthias.boehning@initiative27januar.org