„I remember how happy Sachar—our former house father—always was when he got a lot of kisses and hugs

from our guests: „Inge, I got 50 kisses,“ he would say, full of joy! And that’s how Katrin and I felt, at a meeting

in Tel Aviv, of various Holocaust organizations from across the country, headed by Gitta Koifman. I do not of-

ten go to such big events, after all, we are just a very small organization. But we wanted to honor Gitta Koif-

man who had invited us so heartily. However, this event became a real encouragement to us. Even though

our work is so small, many survivors came to us from every corner of the room with „50 kisses“, hugs and

good wishes! We were amazed at how many survivors from around the country knew us and had at one time

stayed at the house of Ner Yaakov—either guests for a week or day visitors. Loaded down with cakes and

other foods— which the survivors specially brought— we went back to Jerusalem—very encouraged! Thank

you Lord for the 50 kisses! May God grant many more survivors to come to Ner Yaakov and be blessed!“

„The Lord will surely comfort Zion and look with compassion on all her ruins!“ Isa. 51

50 Kisses:

Elke Zabek wrote: acts4israel

Gitta Koifman -

leader „Your rod and your staff, they comfort me!“

Group of

survivors

in Tel Aviv

Ps.

23

Guests in the Tabernacle

„We have known the work of Ner Yaakov now for about 14 years and we are very grateful! We see it always as

a substitution for us personally and for us as Germans. Thank you for this work, done for the „weak“ of society,

the Holocaust survivors. It is a blessing to see, how the elderly opened up and shared about their painful histo-

ry and how they can be happy again. At Ner Yaakov it is like a family. This year at the Feast of Tabernacles we

were able to bring a group of 15 Germans to you and celebrate in your Succa—Tabernacle— We talked after-

wards in the group about our visit. Without exception, all were deeply moved! The participants were moved by

the fact that we felt no hate from the survivors. On the contrary, the survivors took us into their lives, past and

present. Julia and Anna shared about their lives, Michael sang Yiddish songs with great joy. It really was a rol-

lercoaster of emotions—partly very painful and sad and then happy and full of life! The

next day we went to Yad Vashem.

During this visit the stories were

very impacting. In the group deep

concern was felt and some quest-

ions occupied us. „How and where

do I stand with the Jewish people

and the State of Israel? What

is my job?“ Thank you, that the

group could have this valuable ex-

perience! Ner Yaakov is a place of

help, healing and reconciliation!“

Michael and Elke Heart-warming hugs Florian Anne with Julia