Here is all it takes to adopt someone who survived the Holocaust:
1. Request a name of a Holocaust Survivor. Once we process your request, in addition to their name, you will receive their address, personal account (if available), date of their birthday, current situation information and personal needs. We are still meeting them for the first time and taking their pictures when they allow.
2. Send them a card or letter a minimum of once a month, a birthday card, get-well card when they are ill or some form of encouragement. We will translate for them once they are received. (No Christian, religious or evangelistic literature please! We do not actively evangelize. We love them and accept them for who they are and PRAY for them.) Please understand this is a KINDNESS work – showing God’s love. Each Holocaust Survivor is told what we believe when we introduce ourselves in order to be up front about who we are. Whenever questions arise (and they do!) we answer them. If they ask you questions, you can answer them too. But be sensitive with your reply.
3. Pray for “your” Holocaust Survivor. This is very important! Your prayer can make all the difference in their life. Your prayer can bring them healing, lift depression and change their life forever.
4. A monthly or occasional donation to the Survivor General Fund helps us provide essentials for each Survivor. Your donation is added to a General Survivor Fund to take care of all the Survivors needs as we become aware. All donations are tax deductible. We at Abundant Hope International make sure 100% of those funds are used for their care.
It is very expensive to live in Israel and the Holocaust Survivors are on a very small set income, living below the poverty line. You will receive a note letting you know when ‘your’ Holocaust Survivor has been visited. If they are ill, or experience a crisis, we will notify you so you can pray accordingly. In addition, when they are helped through the Survivor General Fund or the newly established Raisa Vernik Memorial Fund (RVMF) we will let you know what was done and how.
These steps can change how each of the Holocaust Survivors view the love that God’s people has for them. If they see the love of His people, they will understand the love of God Himself.
If you would desire to adopt a Survivor, contact our Adoption Director below:
Adoption Program Contact:
Nancy Kurtz, Director of Adoption
adopt@abundanthopeinternational.org
Call 717-592-0859
or you can write to:
Abundant Hope International
P.O. Box 3055
Shiremanstown, PA 17011 Attn. Nancy
You can download the application to adopt a Holocaust Survivor HERE.
Either print, fill it out and mail it to the address above or email it to Nancy. If you are unable to print it, contact us and we will send you one by snail-mail.
Once we receive that form you will be sent your Survivor’s name with instructions of how to begin blessing them!
Thank you for your interest, your compassion and your love for God's people.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SEE BELOW FOR CHANGES TO THE ADOPTION PROGRAM AS OF AUGUST 1, 2011
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Special Edition! Adjusting to Change: the AHI Survivor Program
August 1, 2011
It’s been over seven years since our Holocaust Survivor Program began bringing love and relationship to the Holocaust Survivors in Israel.Each year little adjustments to improve serving them, but this year HaShem brought big changes to what we do and how we do it.
- In the beginning we gave items that someone brought in their
suitcase like socks and potholders and beanie bears.
- In 2006 we began giving food coupons from the local grocery
beginning with 60 coupons, a big hit because of economic need.
- By 2009 our Survivor list was grew rapidly through a new alliance
with the Social Services, giving out 380 coupons- nearly $5000/
month! This time period included a generous grant from The
Joshua Fund, Helping Hands Coalition and individual generosity.
By mid 2010 we began to notice three changes:
- Not all the Survivors needed the coupons anymore.Some returned them, “Give them to someone in need.” Others took them but the excitement to receive them was gone.They were more interested in the visit than the coupon.
- Our funding for the coupons began to decline.Adoptive families send support for their Survivor when possible, but the majority of the coupons were supplied from AHI’s General Survivor Fund.
- Our list of Survivor names was INCREASING while the coupon fund was decreasing.Struggling to maintain the number of coupons we began to re-evaluate the needs of the Survivors.
ALL of these things are what we have been praying for!God isanswering our prayers and changing the Survivors’ lives:Healthier, better economiccircumstances andimprovedfamily relationships.
What a great God we have!
Does this eliminate the need for us to develop relationships and help them financially? No!Now it is the time for us to continue to show our love and allow God’s favor to flow over them.
Early 2011 we began to feel the crunch of the US economy as the funding for the coupons drastically reduced, bringing our coupon purchases down to 200/mo.By May it was reduced to150 coupons/mo.We continued to send coupons to those Survivors adopted but a problem arose from that decision.Within the associations, we have been told if we do not give coupons to all we are not to give to any as it was causing an outcry.Even though many of the Survivors were not in dire need (depending on the circumstance) they are still in Survivor Mode: if one receives something, all must receive.Our hands were tied in this situation.
We discussed the changes with the leaders of the Survivor Associations and determined together to give coupons to the most needy only, distributed through the association leader.Each leader gave us the number of their neediest people and we subsequently reduced the coupons to an average of 33% of the original distribution.
But we were left with the concern of what can we do for the Survivors on a regular basis?What do they need or want?How do we honor those Survivors who are adopted and their adoptive families sending support?
To get some answers we discussed our predicament with the leader of all the Survivor associations in Israel.Gita helps with securing owed compensation, advocating for the associations in the Knesset and solves the various problems that come up.Her advice to us was to give us more Survivors.Wait, how is that again?We don’t have enough coupons or money so we should take on over 200 more Survivors?
Her advice was simple: Continue to give coupons to the most needy, reducing the amount per city to cover more territory.She will advise us of which Survivors are most in need and the oldest and in poorest health.As the main hub for all the Survivor associations, she has access to information we do not.When a need comes up she will notify us and we can decide if it is something we can handle.
Since we already have established a General Fund for the Survivors within Abundant Hope International in the US, we can handle the lower total coupon purchase and some other needs by following this new plan.
In addition, a memorial fund for one of the Survivors who passed away earlier this year has been set up by the adoptive family.The Raisa Vernik Memorial Fund (RVMF) is for personal needs of the Survivors, benevolence.The RVMF is funded through the general donations for Survivors given to AHI.For example:
· Two weeks ago Beit Lukner, a private and poor home for both Survivors and RighteousGentiles, expressed the need for 14 summer weight blankets.
· The Safed Survivor association meets each month in a bomb shelter with no ventilation.The association president, 90 years old, is suffering from cancer, but continues to preside over their meetings.He has requested help purchasing a masgon (heat and air conditioning unit) for their meeting room.
· Last week we gave extra coupons to the recent widow of a Survivor preparing to move into a hostel at reduced cost.Since she is forced to pay taxes on her current residence before she could move, the coupons replaced her budgeted food money leaving her extra shekels for taxes.
Since AHI operates independently we also are preparing our own method to check on the needs of Survivors.We have developed a simple application for financial assistance, translated into both Russian and Hebrew.We will distribute this application to all our Survivors.After reception we will use this tool to determine that no one falls through the cracks of the Israeli system.
By changing how our funding for the Survivors is used we can accomplish so much more.Note we are still upholding our statement to use 100% Survivor funds for Survivors.Our current Survivor service includes:
· Provide food coupons for those truly in need
· Benevolent funds are available for immediate distribution when a specific need is known
· Fresh flowers are delivered to the door of the Survivor by our Field Coordinators for their birthday and anniversary.One Survivor remarked, “This is MUCH better than a coupon!”
· Visitation continues through Field Coordinators, visitors from various countries, tour groups, AHI staff, Israeli citizens and new friends we are making every day.
· Welcome bags are still assembled and given to Survivors on our First Contact.These gift bags are filled with donated items brought over by tourists and volunteers.Supplementation of these items (important things like chocolate!) is provided through the Survivor General Fund.
· Birthday & Anniversary cards are sent via post to each Survivor on our identified list. When we meet is great to see the smile as they make the connection and run to get the birthday card they already received.
In addition to direct Survivor costs we have expenses to carry out all the Survivor service:
· Our new translation for personal letters service has brought many Survivors communication they did not enjoy before.A few have even written back.Meanwhile we have postage, envelopes, paper, printer ink, transportation costs related to this service.
· Translators are always needed but most times not free.
· Cost of transportation for volunteers, translators or Field Coordinators whether train, bus, taxi or gas for the car.
· Reimbursement of expenses to Field Coordinators such as postage, transportation costs, extra items needed for a Survivor such as grocery staples, taxi fare to the doctor or bandages.
As the needs of the Survivors changes and expands, so must the ways to meet the demands.AHI is committed to serving the Survivor in the best manner possible.The only way to succeed is to keep our finger on the pulse of their lives.As it changes, so must we.
For those adoptive families donating each month for your Survivor, there is no change for you except for the better.By continuing to give for your Survivor, other donations are added to yours in the General Survivor Fund and the RVMF, available for your Holocaust Survivor when they need it most.Your Survivor will receive a food coupon when needed and special help when needed.In addition we are seeking ways to increase our regular visitation and contact with them.It is our hope that other businesses and organizations will join us in honoring the Survivors.
Remember, the most important part of this whole program is building relationship.The letters coming in from you are doing exactly that!What a thrill it is for them to receive something from you in the mail or delivered by the Field Coordinator!Please continue to bless them with communication, photos and pictures from magazines about your hometown.Hearts are softened so the Messiah Himself can speak to them.
As we move forward we will keep you informed of the new ways God is blessing His People.Thank you for being His arms reaching out to the Survivors of the Holocaust.Thank you for standing with us as we do our best to deal with man’s economy while trusting in God’s provision.
In His service,
Susan Heagy, President
Abundant Hope International
susanh@abundanthopeinternational.org
For donations, checks should be written to “Abundant Hope International”
or safely donate online with E-giving at www.abundanthopeinternational.org
Contributions: AHI, P.O. Box 760183, San Antonio, TX 78245 717-557-5775
& E-Giving financials@abundanthopeinternational.org
Adoptions: AHI, P.O. Box 3055, Shiremanstown, PA 17011 717-592-0859
adopt@abundanthopeinternational.org
Here is all it takes to adopt someone who survived the Holocaust:
1. Request a name of a Holocaust Survivor. Once we process your request, in addition to their name, you will receive their address, personal account (if available), date of their birthday, current situation information and personal needs. We are still meeting them for the first time and taking their pictures when they allow.
2. Send them a card or letter a minimum of once a month, a birthday card, get-well card when they are ill or some form of encouragement. We will translate for them once they are received. (No Christian, religious or evangelistic literature please! We do not actively evangelize. We love them and accept them for who they are and PRAY for them.) Please understand this is a KINDNESS work – showing God’s love. Each Holocaust Survivor is told what we believe when we introduce ourselves in order to be up front about who we are. Whenever questions arise (and they do!) we answer them. If they ask you questions, you can answer them too. But be sensitive with your reply.
3. Pray for “your” Holocaust Survivor. This is very important! Your prayer can make all the difference in their life. Your prayer can bring them healing, lift depression and change their life forever.
4. A monthly or occasional donation to the Survivor General Fund helps us provide essentials for each Survivor. Your donation is added to a General Survivor Fund to take care of all the Survivors needs as we become aware. All donations are tax deductible. We at Abundant Hope International make sure 100% of those funds are used for their care.
It is very expensive to live in Israel and the Holocaust Survivors are on a very small set income, living below the poverty line. You will receive a note letting you know when ‘your’ Holocaust Survivor has been visited. If they are ill, or experience a crisis, we will notify you so you can pray accordingly. In addition, when they are helped through the Survivor General Fund or the newly established Raisa Vernik Memorial Fund (RVMF) we will let you know what was done and how.
These steps can change how each of the Holocaust Survivors view the love that God’s people has for them. If they see the love of His people, they will understand the love of God Himself.
If you would desire to adopt a Survivor, contact our Adoption Director below:
Adoption Program Contact:
Nancy Kurtz, Director of Adoption
adopt@abundanthopeinternational.org
Call 717-592-0859
or you can write to:
Abundant Hope International
P.O. Box 3055
Shiremanstown, PA 17011 Attn. Nancy
You can download the application to adopt a Holocaust Survivor HERE.
Either print, fill it out and mail it to the address above or email it to Nancy. If you are unable to print it, contact us and we will send you one by snail-mail.
Once we receive that form you will be sent your Survivor’s name with instructions of how to begin blessing them!
Thank you for your interest, your compassion and your love for God's people.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SEE BELOW FOR CHANGES TO THE ADOPTION PROGRAM AS OF AUGUST 1, 2011
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Special Edition! Adjusting to Change: the AHI Survivor Program
August 1, 2011
It’s been over seven years since our Holocaust Survivor Program began bringing love and relationship to the Holocaust Survivors in Israel.Each year little adjustments to improve serving them, but this year HaShem brought big changes to what we do and how we do it.
- In the beginning we gave items that someone brought in their
suitcase like socks and potholders and beanie bears.
- In 2006 we began giving food coupons from the local grocery
beginning with 60 coupons, a big hit because of economic need.
- By 2009 our Survivor list was grew rapidly through a new alliance
with the Social Services, giving out 380 coupons- nearly $5000/
month! This time period included a generous grant from The
Joshua Fund, Helping Hands Coalition and individual generosity.
By mid 2010 we began to notice three changes:
- Not all the Survivors needed the coupons anymore.Some returned them, “Give them to someone in need.” Others took them but the excitement to receive them was gone.They were more interested in the visit than the coupon.
- Our funding for the coupons began to decline.Adoptive families send support for their Survivor when possible, but the majority of the coupons were supplied from AHI’s General Survivor Fund.
- Our list of Survivor names was INCREASING while the coupon fund was decreasing.Struggling to maintain the number of coupons we began to re-evaluate the needs of the Survivors.
ALL of these things are what we have been praying for!God isanswering our prayers and changing the Survivors’ lives:Healthier, better economiccircumstances andimprovedfamily relationships.
What a great God we have!
Does this eliminate the need for us to develop relationships and help them financially? No!Now it is the time for us to continue to show our love and allow God’s favor to flow over them.
Early 2011 we began to feel the crunch of the US economy as the funding for the coupons drastically reduced, bringing our coupon purchases down to 200/mo.By May it was reduced to150 coupons/mo.We continued to send coupons to those Survivors adopted but a problem arose from that decision.Within the associations, we have been told if we do not give coupons to all we are not to give to any as it was causing an outcry.Even though many of the Survivors were not in dire need (depending on the circumstance) they are still in Survivor Mode: if one receives something, all must receive.Our hands were tied in this situation.
We discussed the changes with the leaders of the Survivor Associations and determined together to give coupons to the most needy only, distributed through the association leader.Each leader gave us the number of their neediest people and we subsequently reduced the coupons to an average of 33% of the original distribution.
But we were left with the concern of what can we do for the Survivors on a regular basis?What do they need or want?How do we honor those Survivors who are adopted and their adoptive families sending support?
To get some answers we discussed our predicament with the leader of all the Survivor associations in Israel.Gita helps with securing owed compensation, advocating for the associations in the Knesset and solves the various problems that come up.Her advice to us was to give us more Survivors.Wait, how is that again?We don’t have enough coupons or money so we should take on over 200 more Survivors?
Her advice was simple: Continue to give coupons to the most needy, reducing the amount per city to cover more territory.She will advise us of which Survivors are most in need and the oldest and in poorest health.As the main hub for all the Survivor associations, she has access to information we do not.When a need comes up she will notify us and we can decide if it is something we can handle.
Since we already have established a General Fund for the Survivors within Abundant Hope International in the US, we can handle the lower total coupon purchase and some other needs by following this new plan.
In addition, a memorial fund for one of the Survivors who passed away earlier this year has been set up by the adoptive family.The Raisa Vernik Memorial Fund (RVMF) is for personal needs of the Survivors, benevolence.The RVMF is funded through the general donations for Survivors given to AHI.For example:
· Two weeks ago Beit Lukner, a private and poor home for both Survivors and RighteousGentiles, expressed the need for 14 summer weight blankets.
· The Safed Survivor association meets each month in a bomb shelter with no ventilation.The association president, 90 years old, is suffering from cancer, but continues to preside over their meetings.He has requested help purchasing a masgon (heat and air conditioning unit) for their meeting room.
· Last week we gave extra coupons to the recent widow of a Survivor preparing to move into a hostel at reduced cost.Since she is forced to pay taxes on her current residence before she could move, the coupons replaced her budgeted food money leaving her extra shekels for taxes.
Since AHI operates independently we also are preparing our own method to check on the needs of Survivors.We have developed a simple application for financial assistance, translated into both Russian and Hebrew.We will distribute this application to all our Survivors.After reception we will use this tool to determine that no one falls through the cracks of the Israeli system.
By changing how our funding for the Survivors is used we can accomplish so much more.Note we are still upholding our statement to use 100% Survivor funds for Survivors.Our current Survivor service includes:
· Provide food coupons for those truly in need
· Benevolent funds are available for immediate distribution when a specific need is known
· Fresh flowers are delivered to the door of the Survivor by our Field Coordinators for their birthday and anniversary.One Survivor remarked, “This is MUCH better than a coupon!”
· Visitation continues through Field Coordinators, visitors from various countries, tour groups, AHI staff, Israeli citizens and new friends we are making every day.
· Welcome bags are still assembled and given to Survivors on our First Contact.These gift bags are filled with donated items brought over by tourists and volunteers.Supplementation of these items (important things like chocolate!) is provided through the Survivor General Fund.
· Birthday & Anniversary cards are sent via post to each Survivor on our identified list. When we meet is great to see the smile as they make the connection and run to get the birthday card they already received.
In addition to direct Survivor costs we have expenses to carry out all the Survivor service:
· Our new translation for personal letters service has brought many Survivors communication they did not enjoy before.A few have even written back.Meanwhile we have postage, envelopes, paper, printer ink, transportation costs related to this service.
· Translators are always needed but most times not free.
· Cost of transportation for volunteers, translators or Field Coordinators whether train, bus, taxi or gas for the car.
· Reimbursement of expenses to Field Coordinators such as postage, transportation costs, extra items needed for a Survivor such as grocery staples, taxi fare to the doctor or bandages.
As the needs of the Survivors changes and expands, so must the ways to meet the demands.AHI is committed to serving the Survivor in the best manner possible.The only way to succeed is to keep our finger on the pulse of their lives.As it changes, so must we.
For those adoptive families donating each month for your Survivor, there is no change for you except for the better.By continuing to give for your Survivor, other donations are added to yours in the General Survivor Fund and the RVMF, available for your Holocaust Survivor when they need it most.Your Survivor will receive a food coupon when needed and special help when needed.In addition we are seeking ways to increase our regular visitation and contact with them.It is our hope that other businesses and organizations will join us in honoring the Survivors.
Remember, the most important part of this whole program is building relationship.The letters coming in from you are doing exactly that!What a thrill it is for them to receive something from you in the mail or delivered by the Field Coordinator!Please continue to bless them with communication, photos and pictures from magazines about your hometown.Hearts are softened so the Messiah Himself can speak to them.
As we move forward we will keep you informed of the new ways God is blessing His People.Thank you for being His arms reaching out to the Survivors of the Holocaust.Thank you for standing with us as we do our best to deal with man’s economy while trusting in God’s provision.
In His service,
Susan Heagy, President
Abundant Hope International
susanh@abundanthopeinternational.org
For donations, checks should be written to “Abundant Hope International”
or safely donate online with E-giving at www.abundanthopeinternational.org
Contributions: AHI, P.O. Box 760183, San Antonio, TX 78245 717-557-5775
& E-Giving financials@abundanthopeinternational.org
Adoptions: AHI, P.O. Box 3055, Shiremanstown, PA 17011 717-592-0859
adopt@abundanthopeinternational.org