Shortly after the outbreak of World War II, two-year old Sonia and her mother fled Belarus, which would soon fall to the Nazis. Her father, a Soviet army officer, was killed on the front line. After the war, Sonia’s family rebuilt what they could of their lives, with Sonia eventually pursuing a career as a teacher.

Life in the Soviet Union was far from easy, though. Finding consistent, well-paying work was a challenge, and Sonia and her daughter endured rampant antisemitism. Even in the late 1970s, her daughter was barred from attending university due to her Jewish identity. That’s why in 1980, they made the brave and difficult decision to emigrate to the United States.

For almost two decades, Sonia worked in a Russian-language daycare, providing care and comfort to the next generation, eventually retiring in Maryland. Yet as she’s gotten older, her day-to-day life has become more challenging. She has significant mobility issues, rarely leaving the house and accessing only the ground floor of her apartment. Her daughter and son-in-law help where they can, yet loneliness and isolation still set in.

That’s where Federation and our partner JSSA—the Jewish social service agency serving Greater Washington—comes in. Each year, JSSA helps hundreds of Holocaust survivors live their final years with dignity and safety. Federation support enables JSSA to provide homecare and home nursing, medical support, food programs, socialization activities, and more. As Holocaust survivors age and their needs become more complex and acute, this care is increasingly essential.

For Sonia, this assistance is deeply personal. With help from a homecare worker, she is able to remain in her own home and complete tasks that would otherwise be too daunting. Virtual exercise classes support her physical well-being, while online Russian-language classes on Jewish themes help her stay connected to her community and culture. These services do more than meet basic needs; they provide connection and stability.

Together, Federation and JSSA are dedicated to ensuring that no Jew feels alone, and that every survivor is met with the care and respect they deserve. We honor survivors by showing up for them now, in real and tangible ways. Through this partnership, we are turning memory into action—ensuring that “Never Again” is not only a promise for the future, but a responsibility we uphold every day.