Editor's Letter int arc www.jarc.org Germany Stepping Up N o poor Holocaust survivor should be on a waiting list for home care. But some are — and that's dis- graceful. It's a cause we cannot ignore. Survivors are a poignant reminder that Nazi Germany ultimately lost gain- ing control of Europe despite murdering 11 million people in the Holocaust, including 6 million Jews. The German government continues to distance itself from its Nazi past, this time doubling the amount of money it will ticket for such home care in 2011. The $145 million next year will come none too soon. Financial hardship is more prevalent than ever among survivors, while sources of Claims Conference funds for Holocaust survivor programs continue to erode. At the behest of the Claims Conference, the German government first funded home care in 2004 with an initial grant of about $8 million. The grant has continued to grow. Notably, thanks to a Russian influx, Germany is the only European country with a growing Jewish population since 2000; today, 240,000 Jews live in the Deutschland. Chancellor Angela Merkel and her recent predecessors have stood with Israel during some tough political times even as they face anti-Jewish sentiment metastasizing in their midst. Since 1951, the Claims Conference has strived to secure what it deems a small measure of justice for Jewish victims of Nazi persecution. It works through a combination of negotiations, disburse- ments and the search for the return of Jewish property lost in the Holocaust. to fund services that support survivors. The figure includes money the Claims Conference receives from the sale of heir- less Jewish properties in the former East Germany; it does not include direct payments to survivors from Germany for which the Claims Conference acts as a pass-through. Claims Conference-distributed money goes to more than 100 organizations (including JFS) that provide home care, food, emergency assistance and medical care to Nazi Germany victims in 46 countries. Beating Back Fraud The December announcement of Germany's funding increase for home care for poor Holocaust survivors came about a month after the FBI made 17 arrests in a $42 million fraud scheme at the Claims Conference. The scheme: Claims Conference employees filed fraudulent claims for people who were not victims of Nazi Germany, but who obtained millions of dollars from the German government through the organization. The perpetrators got kickbacks from the fraudulent claimants. Stuart Eizenstat, former U.S. ambassador to the European Union, is chief negotiator for the Claims Conference. JTA reported that the Claims Conference notified the German gov- ernment of the fraud weeks before the fraud became public. Eizenstat assured that the fraud played no role in the negotia- tions, underlining that the German government's loosening of the purse strings was sincere. Tougher Controls Over the last 58 years, the German gov- ernment has paid $60 billion in indem- nification for suffering and losses result- ing from Hitler's fury. Claims Conference negotiations also have yielded survivor support from German and Austrian industry as well as the Austrian govern- ment. Clearly, the Claims Conference is a godsend for many survivors. Germany's Finance Ministry is now working with the Claims Conference to strengthen the organization's internal controls, adding extra vetting and pre- cautions to make sure that the money only goes to survivors, Eizenstat said. Claims Conference officials told JTA they are trying to recover the fraudulently obtained money and return it to the German government. It's important that the Claims Conference achieves stronger organizational controls and succeeds in recovering a good chunk of the money stolen through fraud. Survivors suffered enough. We should revere them and the will to live that they have instilled in younger genera- tions. They shouldn't suffer now — and in the process have their trust in legitimate aid organizations trampled because of corruption in a long-respected international agency intended to help them. ❑ (L to R) Volunteer Shira Bergman joins Clay Barbour who lives at JARC's Berlin Home Thanks to the warm hospitality of Temple Beth El, JARC's 2010-2011 monthly Bingo kicked off on November 23 with a Hanukkah theme. Adat Shalom Volunteer Corps and many of JARC's dedicated teen volunteers were there to help and celebrate with Survivors suffered enough. We should revere them and the will to live that they have instilled in younger generations. High-Octane Support The Claims Conference projects the need for home care will rise until 2014. Then, it likely will crest before declining as today's estimated population of 520,000 survivors worldwide continues to fall; child survivors are now in their early 70s. Keeping seniors in their homes as long as practical helps lift spirits and stimulate independence, provided loneliness isn't rampant. Next year's German government grant will go to support home care services for 60,000 survivors in 32 countries. About 1,000 survivors live in Metro Detroit; at least 200 receive home care support for basic needs such as bathing and cook- ing. As local liaison for the New York office of the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany Inc. (popularly dubbed the Claims Conference), Jewish Family Service of Metropolitan Detroit vets local home care applicants. JFS applies time-tested guidelines to verify Nazi persecution and financial need. "Family members are encouraged to support the survivors in this effort:' says Risa Berris, JFS director of geriatric case management. I can't emphasize that point enough. No survivor who qualifies should go without aid. At the same time, I would hope family members are doing all they can to help support, involve and engage our survivors. The Claims Conference annually distributes $270 million an enthusiastic group of Bingo players. Everyone reported that the games were lots of fun and the prizes were "really great"! For upcoming Bingo dates and other Volunteer opportunities, contact Melissa Rubalcava at 248-538-6610 x 342 or melissarubalcava@jarc.org . 15arrieK PLEASE REMEMBER JARC IN YOUR Related story on how to apply for survivor home care: page 18. Do we take for granted that survivor needs are being met? www.jarc.org 248-538-6611 Do you know a survivor who could benefit from home care? JN December 30 • 2010 5