Daily Living at Germany's Biggest Jewish Nursing Home for the Elderly
In the heart of Frankfurt, Germany, lies a unique and vibrant community—the largest Jewish retirement and nursing home in the country. This intercultural haven, home to over 170 residents, is a testament to resilience, hope, and multicultural coexistence.
Approximately three quarters of the residents are Jewish Holocaust survivors, a demographic that the home supports by preserving traditions, organising celebrations, and observing the weekly Sabbath. The home also offers a daytime care program for senior citizens from outside the home, encouraging social interaction and engagement.
The community is not just a place of sanctuary for Jewish residents, but also for about twenty Ukrainian refugees, including Bella Kiselova and her daughter Marina. This diverse mix of nationalities and non-Jewish staff creates a multicultural environment that offers safety amid rising global anti-Semitism.
The home goes beyond providing care and companionship. It maintains cultural identity and offers opportunities for intergenerational dialogue, such as Holocaust survivors sharing their experiences in schools. A documentary showcasing the daily lives of residents at the retirement home, featuring both Jewish and refugee individuals, provides a glimpse into this dynamic community.
The documentary is scheduled to be broadcast multiple times on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. Viewers in various time zones, including Lagos, Cape Town, Nairobi, Delhi, Bangkok, Hong Kong, London, Berlin, Moscow, San Francisco, Edmonton, and New York, can access the documentary on the home's website.
One of the home's most inspiring residents is 92-year-old Eva Szepesi, a Holocaust survivor who was born in Budapest and survived Auschwitz as a child, losing her entire family. Despite her traumatic past, Eva finds solace and purpose in the community, telling her story to inspire future generations.
The intercultural retirement home in Frankfurt is more than just a place of residence. It is a beacon of hope, a sanctuary for those who have faced adversity, and a testament to the power of community and the human spirit.
- Despite being located in Europe, the intercultural retirement home in Frankfurt, World War II Holocaust survivors and Ukrainian refugees find a home, showcasing the resilience and multicultural coexistence of diverse communities.
- The documentary featuring residents of the Frankfurt retirement home provides a window into home-and-garden lifestyles of people from different walks of life across the globe, demonstrating the significance of cultural preservation and intergenerational dialogues.
