Holocaust Survivors Create “Miracle” in Social Club

Fay Freidman, left, and Zipora Karas at Club Nissim. Photo: Michael E. Ach.

On a recent morning at a packed social club, Zipora Karas, born in 1932 in Romania, says, “At 7 years old, I was in a concentration camp.”

Her eyes tear, the memories flood, she grows silent. “Baruch HaShem, I have a good time here.” She gestures to the room full of people singing as an instructor plays a keyboard. Music surrounds her.

And that is the purpose of Club Nissim: a good time for a few hours of the day, a respite from memories that are often still nightmares, and the camaraderie of others who understand, implicitly, the history survivors share.

Four times a week, between 150 to 200 people gather each day for Club Nissim, a day program for Holocaust survivors supported by UJA-Federation of New York. They meet at the YM-YWHA of Boro Park.

“When survivors were asked at a founding meeting what they wanted from a club, they said, ‘We want to do something fun and have a good time,’ ” explains Simonne Hirschhorn, program director of Club Nissim. “The club gives hope and encouragement. We help them enjoy the years they have now.”

The club, started in 2001, boasts 1,000 members from ages 65 to 95. To become a member, an individual needs to have been born before European liberation and to have lived in a country under Nazi rule.

A Name is Born

Club Nissim was originally called the Day Program for Holocaust Survivors. Hirschhorn wanted a more positive title, and during a discussion about names, someone said, “It’s a miracle we’re all here.”

“Do you want to call it a Miracle Club?” Hirshhorn asked.

The group wanted it to sound more Jewish, and Irene Friedman, a member, suggested the Hebrew word for miracle, nissim.

“Club Nissim was developed in response to the needs of the survivors living in our community,” says Ellie Kastel, executive director of the Boro Park Y, a UJA-Federation beneficiary agency. “It has enhanced the lives of the members and their families, enabling the survivors to remain active members of the community and keeping alive their heritage, traditions, and memories. It is one element of the dynamic, vital, and creative programs offered by the Y.”

Club Nissim offers activities that span three areas: health care, religious and spiritual concerns, and social connections.

Health care includes an exercise class led by an instructor and a monthly lecture by a nutritionist. The club also includes lectures on Judaism and time for the group to pray together. Parties, special theme weeks — like Chocolate Week — and trips also keep members engaged.

Because Club Nissim is located in a primarily Orthodox community, the club offers a separate swimming class and a study group with a rabbi for the men involved.

In 2007, Club Nissim started a collection of memoirs, Living History, written by members. To date, the club has produced three volumes and a fourth volume is planned.

Edith Klein, a contributor to the third volume, ended her essay with a call to future readers:

“I try to forget the past, the terror of the war and concentrate on my good memories, but I cannot. I worry. I need my children and grandchildren to know how we survived. The war must not be forgotten. Now that I wrote it down, I feel better; knowing the truth is documented for the future generations. If they carry the memories, I can rest. If they hold the pain, I can let it go and concentrate on the beauty of my life.

So, please remember.”