Ms. Sachs was born in McKeesport, PA in 1942. She has a B.A. in English Literature from the University of Chicago. Inspired by a trip to Jerusalem in 1962, she made aliyah 25 years later and had several jobs, including freelance writing, teaching English, working in the public relations office of Herzog Hospital in Jerusalem. She recently retired as Director of PR and Development at Melabev, a role she had for the past 20 years. She continues on as a volunteer for Melabev and as a member of the Board of Directors for the American Committee for Melabev.
Baruch Goldstein, most recently of Florida, Rhode Island and Israel, but originally from Poland, is one member of this larger Melabev “family” whom I was privileged to meet through my work at Melabev. A couple years ago Baruch published his memoirs which focus on his experiences during the Shoah and his adjustments to life afterwards. His book, “For Decades I was Silent: A Holocaust Survivor’s Journey Back to Faith,” is the subject of my review, submitted to Kavod.
Melabev is a non-profit organization that operates a network of day care centers for older adults in Jerusalem and Beit Shemesh, which specialize in Alzheimer’s care. Melabev professionals bring therapeutic activities to the clients’ homes and offer support groups for the family members. Melabev relies on donations and grants from foundations, and other bodies, including the Claims Conference. The assistance from the Claims Conference was instrumental in completing permanent day care centers in three locations in Jerusalem, where the staff and volunteers care for several hundred older adults daily. A large percentage of the clients, their family members, and even the Friends of Melabev who help raise funds for its support, are Holocaust survivors.