Holocaust survivors

South Florida is home to one of the country’s largest populations of Holocaust survivors. While many of them, parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, have lead productive lives, the horror of their suffering at an early age never goes away.

Sadly, most Holocaust survivors were never provided with proper counseling and tools to help them cope.

Without it, the likelihood that the events of their childhood would manifest in painful ways is nearly a certainty.

At Goodman Jewish Family Service, we recognize the consequences of what is considered late onset post-traumatic stress disorder.

PTSD is also profound for many people who were terrorized during the Holocaust. Survivors suffer from nightmares, confusion, hallucinations and fear. Because PTSD may appear in the older survivors, it is also complicated by other effects of aging.

Although there are fewer survivors, the ones who are still with us need our support, understanding and compassion. Goodman JFS is one of many organizations here in South Florida that makes care and kindness for Holocaust survivors a priority.

This story was originally published April 15, 2015 at 8:25 PM with the headline "Holocaust survivors."