Reconnecting at Café Europa 2024 in Calgary

By Lisa Thomson, Jewish Family Services Calgary

🔊 Listen to this

(AJNews) – Almost 130 Holocaust Survivors, support staff and family caregivers enjoyed the 4th Annual Café Europa luncheon on September 19, at the Carriage House Hotel & Conference Centre in Calgary. Attendees were treated to blessings by Rabbi Ilana Krygier Lapides, a lovely meal, music and dancing. But what they treasure the most from these events are the connections, shared stories and friendships.

Many Holocaust Survivors may not get out very often anymore, but this event is so special that they make a concerted effort to attend. Everyone dresses up for the occasion and they arrive excited to see their friends, and to meet new ones. The room is buzzing as everyone mills about visiting.

The stories that emerge from this event are powerful. People reconnect after decades. Friends who, as children before the war, grew up in the same city, neighborhood, or even apartment building, are reunited. Some see each other fairly regularly; some wait for this annual opportunity to connect.

The event is for the Holocaust Survivors, but it is also about their warm relationships with the JFSC Claims Conference staff, who care so deeply. The love, friendship and gratitude that permeates the room is infectious. Survivors vocalize their gratitude for the support they receive, improving their quality of life and allowing them to age in place for as long as they can. Staff care deeply for the Survivors, are passionate in their work, and take pride in making this event, and all their connections with Survivors, special and meaningful.

Cafe Europa events are held worldwide, financially supported by Claims Conference, enabling connection for Holocaust Survivors. Cafe Europa was a café in Stockholm, Sweden, where survivors would meet after the war to try to find family and friends.