Since 1999, Holocaust Community Services (HCS), a collaborative effort of Jewish Child and Family Services (JCFS), CJE SeniorLife and the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, in partnership with HIAS Chicago, has helped ensure that the Chicago Holocaust survivor community and their families can continue to live independently and with dignity.
HCS serves survivors ranging in age from 75-105, average 85. Over 90% of survivors served by HCS are from the former Soviet Union. For survivors, the consequences of advanced aging are compounded by the physical and emotional horrors they endured during the war. As aging and frailty take their toll, the number of Holocaust survivors turning to community agencies has steadily increased.
HCS quintupled in clients served in past 6 years, now serving more than 1,900 survivors with monthly financial assistance, and over 2,000 in total with other programming, referrals, and socialization opportunities. Beyond conducting comprehensive assessments to determine need for financial assistance for food, medication, and homecare, HCS also facilitates support for one-time emergency needs, transportation, support groups, wellness classes, events, and restitution and reparations assistance. In addition, training for professionals who work with survivors and their families is provided to professionals and community members to provide awareness and advocacy around the growing needs of aging survivors.
HCS is supported by social welfare grants from the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany Inc., KAVOD SHEF, and other generous foundations and donors. Approximately 75% of the total funding is allocated from the Claims Conference, which supports organizations serving Jewish Holocaust survivors in 47 countries, providing for in-home caregiving, hunger, medical care, and transportation.
For more information on Holocaust Community Services at CJE, please call 773.508.1004.

| Date | Event | Location | Contact |
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HCS Groups
Support Groups
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HCS Groups
Support Groups
Led by Kseniia Asefa, LPC and Vera Rodriguez Mancera, LPC Chicago-based conversation group for Russian-speaking Holocaust survivors. Call to confirm dates: 773.508.1144 Virtual Meeting. |
HCS Groups
Support Groups
Bernard Horwich Building-Virtual Event |
HCS Groups
Support Groups
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HCS Groups
Support Groups
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HCS Groups
Support Groups
Led by Leah Rosenberg & Vera Rodriguez Mancera, LPC A virtual conversation group for Russian-speaking Holocaust survivors to discuss the challenges of aging and wellness strategies. Please call to confirm dates: 773.508.1149
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HCS Groups
Support Groups
Holocaust Community Services |
HCS Groups
Support Groups
Yonit Hoffman, PhD and Maya Gumirov, LPC
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HCS Groups
Support Groups
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HCS Groups
Support Groups
Led by Yonit Hoffman, PhD, and Iliana Vayman, MEd., Holocaust Community Services. A support group for Holocaust survivors. Alternating in-person and virtual. |
HCS Groups
Support Groups
Bernard Horwich Building-Virtual Event |
HCS Groups
Support Groups
Yonit Hoffman, PhD, and John Wickham, LSW
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HCS Groups
Support Groups
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HCS Groups
Support Groups
Skokie virtual support group for Russian-speaking Holocaust survivors. Led by Maya Gumirov, LPC, NCC. and Anna Klein Every other Monday Registration required: 773.508.1016 or 773.508.1097
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HCS Groups
Support Groups
Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center |
HCS Groups
Support Groups
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HCS Groups
Support Groups
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HCS Groups
Support Groups
Led by Yonit Hoffman, PhD, and Iliana Vayman, MEd., Holocaust Community Services. A support group for Holocaust survivors. Alternating in-person and virtual. |
HCS Groups
Support Groups
Bernard Horwich Building-Virtual Event |
HCS Groups
Support Groups
Yonit Hoffman, PhD, and John Wickham, LSW
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HCS Groups
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HCS Groups
As antisemitism is on the rise, sharing stories about the Holocaust and its Survivors is more important than ever. Join us for an intimate conversation with one of the Holocaust’s youngest concentration camp Survivors, Sam Harris, and his granddaughter, Jessica Kreamer, as they share a story of survival and family heritage.This is an ONLINE program and is FREE to the public. |
HCS Groups
Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center-Zoom |
HCS Groups
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HCS Groups
Support Groups
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HCS Groups
Support Groups
Led by Yonit Hoffman, PhD and Anna Dominov, LCSW, Holocaust Community Services A virtual support group for family caregivers of Holocaust survivors. Call to confirm dates: 773.508.1004 |
HCS Groups
Support Groups
Holocaust Community Services |
HCS Groups
Support Groups
Yonit Hoffman, PhD and Maya Gumirov, LPC
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Cyber Club & Virtual Activities
HCS Groups
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Cyber Club & Virtual Activities
HCS Groups
A second virtual Chicago-based conversation group for Russian-speaking Holocaust survivors. Led by Kseniia Asefa, LPC and Vera Rodriguez Mancera, LPC. First Tuesday of the month. Registration required: 773.508.1144 or 773.508.1149 |
Cyber Club & Virtual Activities
HCS Groups
Bernard Horwich Building-Virtual Zoom Meeting |
Cyber Club & Virtual Activities
HCS Groups
Kseniia Asefa, LPC and Vera Rodriguez Mancera, LPC
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HCS Groups
Support Groups
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HCS Groups
Support Groups
Led by Yonit Hoffman, PhD and Anna Dominov, LCSW, Holocaust Community Services A virtual support group for family caregivers of Holocaust survivors. Call to confirm dates: 773.508.1004 |
HCS Groups
Support Groups
Holocaust Community Services |
HCS Groups
Support Groups
Yonit Hoffman, PhD and Maya Gumirov, LPC
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Cyber Club & Virtual Activities
HCS Groups
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Cyber Club & Virtual Activities
HCS Groups
A second virtual Chicago-based conversation group for Russian-speaking Holocaust survivors. Led by Kseniia Asefa, LPC and Vera Rodriguez Mancera, LPC. First Tuesday of the month. Registration required: 773.508.1144 or 773.508.1149 |
Cyber Club & Virtual Activities
HCS Groups
Bernard Horwich Building-Virtual Zoom Meeting |
Cyber Club & Virtual Activities
HCS Groups
Kseniia Asefa, LPC and Vera Rodriguez Mancera, LPC
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|
Cyber Club & Virtual Activities
HCS Groups
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Cyber Club & Virtual Activities
HCS Groups
A second virtual Chicago-based conversation group for Russian-speaking Holocaust survivors. Led by Kseniia Asefa, LPC and Vera Rodriguez Mancera, LPC. First Tuesday of the month. Registration required: 773.508.1144 or 773.508.1149 |
Cyber Club & Virtual Activities
HCS Groups
Bernard Horwich Building-Virtual Zoom Meeting |
Cyber Club & Virtual Activities
HCS Groups
Kseniia Asefa, LPC and Vera Rodriguez Mancera, LPC
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|
HCS Groups
Support Groups
|
HCS Groups
Support Groups
Led by Yonit Hoffman, PhD and Anna Dominov, LCSW, Holocaust Community Services A virtual support group for family caregivers of Holocaust survivors. Call to confirm dates: 773.508.1004 |
HCS Groups
Support Groups
Holocaust Community Services |
HCS Groups
Support Groups
Yonit Hoffman, PhD and Maya Gumirov, LPC
|