KleinLife held a celebration last week to unveil the name of a new program aimed at helping Holocaust survivors from the former Soviet Union.
Representatives from the Jewish community center in Bustleton said many survivors are still recovering from the trauma they experienced in their youth. The wellness program, which began in September, brings them together for art therapy, dance sessions, tai chi and other activities.
“The goal is to improve their physical, mental, social and emotional wellbeing, decrease isolation, get them to be more active and feel a sense of community,” said Mariya Keselman, the program’s coordinator and an art therapist at KleinLife, 10100 Jamison Ave.
The program is open to Holocaust survivors born in the former Soviet Union prior to 1946.
KleinLife announced at a ceremony Wednesday, Feb. 13, that the program is now called “Revive,” a name that was suggested by one of the participants, Anatotiy Cherniavskiy. A phoenix will be used as the logo, which was another suggestion from one of the survivors.
Keselman said KleinLife has been doing outreach to Northeast Philadelphia’s large Russian community. So far, between 160 and 180 people have enrolled in the program, she said.
The program is funded by a $50,000 grant from the Jewish Federation of North America, according to KleinLife.
For more information about Revive, call Keselman at 215-698-7300, Ext. 185. ••
Jack Tomczuk can be reached at jtomczuk@newspapermediagroup.com
