"Leaving Home" – A Unique KleinLife Program Connecting Generations

Dear All,

I wanted to share something truly special with you—our "Leaving Home" program, a project that could only happen at an organization like KleinLife. As the only agency that serves both Holocaust survivors and Ukrainian refugees, we created a space for these two communities to connect in a deeply meaningful way.

Throughout history, unimaginable evil—war, persecution, and genocide—has torn families from the homes of their ancestors, forcing them to flee into the unknown, with no resources, no language, and only the hope of survival guiding their way. I’m really happy that KleinLife has become the place where we can help these people just a little bit to feel normal again!

Guided by a trauma-informed, Russian-speaking counselor specializing in PTSD, the program facilitated a remarkable exchange: refugee children interviewed Holocaust survivors and Jewish refugees from the Former Soviet Union about their experiences, and in turn, the Holocaust survivors and former refugees from the Former Soviet Union interviewed the children about their own journey of fleeing Ukraine.

This powerful project resulted in a 40-minute documentary, capturing raw and emotional stories that bridge generations of displacement and resilience. Last Thursday, we held a special screening in Russian, bringing together nearly 100 people in our lunchroom to watch and discuss the film. There was not a single dry eye in the room.

We are now working on translating the film into English and expect to make it available to a wider audience soon.

This initiative was made possible by the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), the Weinberg Fund of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, and generous individual donors. It is a testament to KleinLife’s unique and vital role in this community—where else would these two groups come together in such a profound way?

As we celebrate KleinLife’s 50th Anniversary, programs like this underscore our continued relevance and impact. With over 35,000 vulnerable individuals relying on us, we remain a home away from home for people of all ages and backgrounds.

May We Go From Strength To Strength!

Sincerely,

Andre Krug
KleinLife President and CEO