Originally unveiled at the WJCS 2026 Gala this spring, Survivors Among Us features striking portraits and personal narratives that preserve the experiences, resilience and legacies of holocaust survivors served by WJCS. The exhibit offers viewers a powerful opportunity to connect with history through the voices and faces of individuals who have endured unimaginable hardship and gone on to build lives, families and communities.
Many of the survivors featured in the exhibit attended the June reception alongside family members, community leaders, donors and supporters. Guests had the opportunity to view the exhibit, hear reflections from participants and celebrate the extraordinary strength and perseverance of those whose stories are captured within it.
“These survivors are living witnesses to history,” said Seth Diamond, CEO of WJCS. “Their courage, resilience and determination continue to inspire all of us. Through this exhibit, we are ensuring that their stories will continue to educate and impact future generations.”
The exhibit was created in partnership with WJCS lay leader Yael Friedland, founder and facilitator of the WJCS Share Shabbat program, which matches volunteers to visit survivors and deliver a Shabbat meal on a monthly basis. “As the number of holocaust survivors declines, preserving their stories becomes more important than ever,” said Allison Danzig, WJCS coordinator of Holocaust Survivor Services. “This exhibit is a commitment to remembrance, education and ensuring that their experiences continue to inspire future generations.”
The portraits capture not only the survivors’ experiences, but also their humanity, dignity and enduring spirit. Working closely with WJCS’s Jewish programs team, Friedland spent months interviewing and photographing participants to create an experience that is both deeply personal and universally meaningful. “The stories represented in this exhibit remind us of the importance of memory, community and hope,” said Amanda Garfinkle, chief advancement officer of WJCS.
WJCS hopes that Survivors Among Us will continue its journey beyond this reception, traveling to synagogues, schools, libraries, community centers and cultural institutions throughout Westchester County in the months ahead. By bringing these stories into communities across the region, the exhibit will help ensure that the voices, experiences and lessons of holocaust survivors continue to educate, inspire and resonate with future generations.
WJCS provides a wide range of services for Holocaust survivors throughout Westchester County, including case management, socialization programs, emergency assistance, home-delivered kosher meals, transportation support and other critical resources that enable survivors to age with dignity and remain connected to their communities.
Survivors Among Us reflects WJCS’s ongoing commitment to honoring survivors, combating antisemitism and Holocaust denial, and ensuring that future generations understand the lessons of the holocaust.
