On March 7th a group of Ruth & Norman Rales' professionals and one local Holocaust Survivor spoke to a congressional study group from Germany. Florida was their first stop on a three state tour as part of the study group meeting. Ted Deutch organized the Florida portion and that's how JFS were asked to participate. Those from the German group included many current members of the German parliament and three members of congress including Ted, Charlie Dent (PA) and a member from Nebraska.



The meeting with the Congressional Study Group from Germany was an extraordinary opportunity for JFS to have an honest and frank dialogue with members of the German Parliament about the aging Holocaust survivor populations living meeting with the Congressional Study Group from Germany was an extraordinary opportunity for JFS to have an honest and frank dialogue with members of the German Parliament about the aging Holocaust survivor populations living. The focus was to convey gratitude to the German government for the funding we as a nation receive through the claims conference but to also stress the vast unmet needs that are prevalent both here and nation wide. In addition to the presentation, the group was honored and humbled to hear the story of 88 year old Holocaust survivor, Norman Frajman, who survived the camps and lost over 120 members of his family in the Holocaust. The members expressed sincere respect and humility in hearing Norman's story and stressed their support in fighting antisemitism in Germany today as well as open to discuss increased funding for those in the most need.

Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts is AJFCA's newest member agency. Maxine Stein, MSW is the President and CEO of the agency. We're excited to welcome them to the network.