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About Us / Gratitude
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G.R. with her mother
| Dear Amcha staff,
I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation for your unconditional efforts on my behalf in attaining information about my mother.
If Helen had not asked me to write a letter to Austria, I would have never discovered the unbelievable fact that I have a mother who is alive. My children and I would never have gotten to know my mother and their respective grandmother. Helen is the one who got the ball rolling in the right direction - forward. I would like to thank her for her efforts and stamina.
A new reality has opened up to me. One which I had never thought possible - a mother. I have a mother who is alive and breathing. A mother, who gave birth to me. A mother whom I can hug, kiss and hold. This is so difficult to grasp - one simple word - mother, which means so much. A real miracle.
Together with my children, I have had the unbelievable experience of getting to know my mother. I also felt a special bond between my children and myself. I think that my children for the first time ever in their lives have a real understanding of what it was for me to grow up without a mother. I received unconditional support and love from them, which to say the least, helped to strengthen me in this "miraculous" time in my life.
Amcha together with the help of Naomi Tauber and Judy Lahad made sure that I would not be alone, that I would have all the support I needed to get through the difficult road I would have to travel. Judy devoted all her time in making sure that this was possible. She made sure I had my own "private angel" watching over me - Michaela Mathae from "Esra" in Austria.
Michaela made sure that I received the optimal support necessary in surviving this turbulent time in my life. Her support, patience and empathy helped me and my children - Ronit & Amir, in the most difficult time in our lives - the meeting with my mother and the experience of being alone in a country and a language unknown to us. She did everything possible to make things easier and better. The opening of the "door" to my past and being reunited with my mother would never have happened, without Naomi Tauber's full support. She is always willing to lend a helping hand. Throughout our meetings and conversations, Naomi opened up the door to possibilities beyond my imagination. Naomi is a person who has given to me unconditionally.
No words can express how grateful I am that Amcha has given me the opportunity to discover a new meaning in my life. It has given me the chance to better understand who I am and where I come from. This "New Year" will begin with significant changes in my life and in my identity. It also brings new challenges, which I have never dealt with before.
In conclusion, I would like to wish you all a very happy and healthy New Year. May the coming year bring you all "health, happiness, peace & prosperity".
May you continue in your "עבודת קודש" in helping others as you have helped me.
Warm regards,
G.R.
September 12, 2004
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From the children of a Holocaust survivor who was visited by a volunteer:
To Amcha:
Re: Mrs Berman Suzi,
We are full of appreciation and gratitude for the attention and care that Suzi Berman gave of her free time to our late mother Chaja Bergman.
Yours sincerely
The sons Peretz and Avi Bergman
The daughter Chana Avital |
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To Voluntary assistants of Amcha:
Dear assistants,
During the year that passed, there was a deterioration in the physical and mental health of our mother, Mrs Z.P. a Holocaust survivor.
A survivor from AMCHA, Leah Hebenstock, gave a lot of her time and herself, in many visits and in warm and understanding talks with our mother.
Your center provides essential social/emotional support.
For your efforts, we thank you.
E.K. Z.F. |
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Letter from a Friend
I had heard about AMCHA by chance and received the telephone number of AMCHA in Ashkelon about three years ago. I also felt the need for an attentive ear when I was suffering from mental distress from the past and also from the present. I phoned Rachel and she came for a visit to our house. She listened to me with all her heart and slowly I opened up and told her about my problems.
I saw the future in black and I know that this is not usual for me, because I had seen myself as a strong woman. It became apparent that I was also only made of flesh and blood. During the meetings with Rachel, I received mental strength and I returned to become a fighting woman. But I also realized that there was a need for survivors to meet together.
Rachel worked hard to establish our social club in Beit Vosk (Ashkelon).
We were a small group in the beginning, but with time we have become a large community. One person gives strength to another. And we deliver the message to the following generations. I try to come as often as my health allows me. When I come home, it is as if I have been filled with new and positive energy to go on with my life.
I would like to thank Rachel, Ruti and Suzanna from Beer Sheva who give us their time and who help us to cope and not to forget the past, to live in the present and try to be optimistic about the future.
Blessing to everybody, from above and beyond.
R.S. |
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As I was four years old, I was left alone, my parents were sent to their death, my father to Maidanek, my mother to Sobibor. I was an only child.
I came to AMCHA a few years ago. I must admit that I grew up in AMCHA. I began to write. I wrote my biography and the biography of a cousin who perished in Birkenau, and some other short stories. I never knew before that I know how to write. I see in my group a family and I wait every week for the next meeting.
E.F. |
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