Over sixty years have passed since WWII, but Holocaust survivors have suffered yet more discouraging news. Holocaust survivor financial assistance for medical needs has been suspended for the balance of the year.
The Foundation for the Benefit of Holocaust Victims in Israel announced yesterday that it has temporarily run out of funds due to inadequate allocations in the budget to meet increasing requests. Funding for the foundation is primarily provided by the Conference on Jewish Material Claims against Germany (60%) and the Israeli Ministry of Finance (30%).
The shortage will affect some 8,000 survivors to one extent or another. The agency has been processing 100 – 150 requests for aid each day, but a $5.1 million shortage will mean that no requests will be processed for the duration of 2012. The money is issued as reimbursement for a variety of medical-related expenses including dental work and eyeglasses.
As one would expect, some people have spoken out over the failure of the system to provide what it has promised, because their wallets are already thin. Kibbutz Hanita resident, Zeev Abas complained that his bank account went into overdraft because he has yet to be reimbursed for a $1,000 hearing aid that he purchased in May.
Rony Kalinsky, the GM of the Foundation was quite pointed in letting people know that the shortfall was a result of insufficient allocation of funding from the Ministry of Finance. “The only reason the foundation was forced to temporarily shut down the flow of grants on such a short notice is that the state failed to allocate additional resources for the survivors of the Holocaust.”
Elazar Stern, the Foundation Director, indicated that this happens to some extent every year. “Like every year, we’re still waiting, even though we’ve been talking about this for a year already.” Most likely in reference to the age of many of the survivors (Mr. Abas is 77), Stern said that it’s not a long term problem because the number of requests will diminish over the next two years.
I have good news for these Holocaust survivors. The “Bank of Heaven” will never under allocate, and no matter how much of God’s treasure you withdraw, the amount on balance is never depleted. God has clearly demonstrated His ability to provide even when there seems to be no resources from which to draw. Manna appeared in the desert when human eyes could see no way to feed a new nation of people. (Exodus 16) There was always enough. Never too little; never too much. Elijah spent three years living with a widow and her son who had only enough for one last meal, yet there was “always enough flour and olive oil left, just as the Lord had promised.” (I Kings 17:10-16). Jesus blessed two loaves and five fish and over 5,000 people were fed, with food left over. (Luke 9:12-17)
Jehovah-jireh is His name. He is the Lord Who Provides. He always has. He always will. And He keeps His promises.
Pray with us for the Lord to supply the needs of these survivors of the Holocaust who, in their latter years, cannot supply or afford all of their own needs. Pray that they will recognize who their Provider is and that they will worship and adore Him. Pray for peace in the Land, especially for them. And pray with us for the peace of Jerusalem.
For more background on this story, read the articles in the Jerusalem Post, the JTA, YNet News, and Israel National News.
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