Nearly 4,100 Survivors to benefit from restitution of communal properties wrongfully seized during and after WWII, support especially meaningful to Holocaust survivors displaced near Gaza border

(New York, NY) July 22, 2024: The World Jewish Restitution Organization (WJRO) today announced the distribution of more than $10 million to nearly 4,100 Romanian Holocaust survivors worldwide, as part of the Romanian Survivor Relief Program (RSRP) and the Romanian Emergency Assistance Program (REAP). The funds are made available by the Caritatea Foundation, a partnership between WJRO and the Federation of Jewish Communities in Romania (FEDROM) and administered by the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference).

“During these challenging times, it is crucial that we continue to support Holocaust survivors around the world who have endured so much. These programs for Romanian survivors, provided by funds of the Caritatea Foundation in Romania, exemplify our sustained commitment to ensuring that survivors receive the recognition and assistance they deserve, wherever they may live or whatever challenges they face,” said Gideon Taylor, President WJRO and Ambassador Colette Avital, President of the Caritatea Foundation.

The RSRP will distribute $9,016,000 to 2,842 Holocaust survivors of Romanian origin in 21 countries outside of Romania and Israel, spanning from Argentina to Uzbekistan. Survivors with the lowest incomes (below $12,000 annually) will receive $4,000 each. A second group of survivors (with incomes between $12,000-$21,200) will receive $2,000 each.

Simultaneously, under REAP, nearly $1 million (approx. NIS 3.7 million) will be distributed to over 1,200 needy Romanian Holocaust survivors in Israel. Payments of $1,000 (NIS 3,700) are being disbursed to 772 Holocaust survivors receiving supplementary income payments from Bituach Leumi (Hashlamat Hachnasa). An additional 450 needy survivors, categorized based on income and disability as Nizkak, will be receiving $500  (NIS 1,800) each. In the past year, an additional $3,312,000 (NIS 12.05 million)  was distributed to Holocaust survivors in Israel, who each received payments of $3,000 (NIS 10,910) and $1,500 (NIS 5,455), respectively. Since 2015, Romanian Holocaust survivors in Israel have collectively received NIS 71.3 million from Caritatea funding.

Among the beneficiaries of the RSRP program are four centenarian Holocaust survivors: two women aged 101 and 100 from the United States, one woman aged 101 from Canada, and one woman aged 102 from Germany. The support and assistance provided through the RSRP program help these survivors cover some of their daily expenses and ensure they live their golden years with dignity and security.

Additionally, Holocaust survivors from Sderot, a town near the Gaza border, have benefited from the REAP program. Clara R., 88, was evacuated to Gan Yavne for two months and struggled with the displacement. “The funds were very helpful and significantly improved my living conditions, especially during these difficult times,” said Clara.

Asia F., 89, also from Sderot, fled the city for a few months to stay with family in Prague but has since returned. “The funds were very useful and allowed me to make essential repairs to my home,” said Asia.

The Caritatea Foundation handles the return of former Jewish communal property and uses the proceeds from restitution to sustain and revitalize Romanian Jewish communities and to assist Holocaust survivors from Romania now living around the world.