As antisemitic incidents reach record highs, Jewish Federations this week highlighted how antisemitism is affecting Holocaust survivors and other older Americans in their communities and in healthcare settings.
Jewish Federations President & CEO Eric D. Fingerhut and Government Relations Vice President Karen Paikin Barall submitted written testimony to the Senate Special Committee on Aging for its hearing “Never Again: Addressing the Rise of Antisemitism and Supporting Older Americans.”
The hearing, which coincided with the start of Jewish American Heritage Month, was held to create dialogue about antisemitism targeting older Americans and how to best support them.
In 2024, Jewish communities experienced 8,354 reported antisemitic incidents – the highest number recorded in a single year according to the Anti-Defamation League.
“As we know, antisemitism affects us all, including older people in our community. Too often, older voices are not heard. This is why we work to give voice to Holocaust survivors and other older Americans,” the testimony reads.
Jewish Federations shared multiple stories of how Holocaust survivors are experiencing antisemitism around the country and stressed the importance of not just fighting antisemitism but being there before and after an incident occurs.
Jewish Federations’ Center on Aging, Trauma, and Holocaust Survivor Care improves the quality of care for Holocaust survivors and all older people in this country. This national resource center, which is funded in part by the Holocaust Survivor Assistance Program (HSAP), has developed the person-centered, trauma-informed (PCTI) approach to care, using lessons learned from serving Holocaust survivors over decades.
“We must fight antisemitism while caring for older people who are experiencing it. And our care must be person-centered, trauma-informed,” wrote Fingerhut and Paikin Barall. “Holocaust survivors are our teachers, and now their lessons are helping us to improve healthcare in homes, communities, and medical settings for everyone.”