‘Where Was God During The Holocaust?’

WOODBURY — Brownstein Jewish Family Service invites Holocaust survivors and children of survivors to a breakfast meeting on Sunday, March 25, at 10 am at the office of the Federation: Jewish Communities of Western Connecticut, 73 Main Street South in Woodbury.

The guest speaker will be Rabbi Laizer Gurkov, spiritual leader of Chabad House in Danbury for the past six years and himself the son of Holocaust survivors. He will talk about his views on “Where Was God During the Holocaust?” and then lead a group discussion.

The Second Generation and Holocaust Survivors Group was formed three years ago for people who want to get together to discuss issues connected with being Holocaust survivors or the children of survivors. Guest speakers and members of the group talk about many topics, including their stories and experiences during the war and how to educate future generations about the Holocaust. The group has been growing and evolving, and over 50 different people from Connecticut and other states have attended the meetings. The Sunday morning talks are friendly, informal, and very much appreciated by those who attend.

Applications forms will be made available at the meeting for former slave and forced laborers from the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany. All applications must be received by the Claims Conference by August 11, 2001. In addition, Brownstein Jewish Family Service is a participant in a statewide $75,000 grant which has been renewed again this year to help needy Holocaust survivors with certain medical expenses and services to keep them at home. Up to $1,500 annually is also available from their Emergency Assistance Program.

Holocaust survivors and second generation are always welcome to attend these programs, which are free of charge. The next meeting of the group is scheduled for Sunday, April 22. Please RSVP for the March 25 gathering, as a light breakfast will be served. For more information, contact Debby Horowitz, program director of Brownstein Jewish Family Service, at 203-263-5121, extension 304. In case of inclement weather and the need to cancel, a message will be left at the extension.