SO WHAT IS THE TRUTH ABOUT OUR SURVIVORS?

Six Point Foundation would like to thank Rosa Doherty and the JC for helping us highlight the disadvantage faced by a significant minority of Holocaust survivors and refugees in this country.

Six Point Foundation owes its existence to the foresight of the Otto Schiff Housing Association (OSHA) and particularly its chairman, Ashley Mitchell. The foundation was set up in 2011 with some of the proceeds from the disposal of assets which were owned by OSHA.

The telephone calls received after the publication of the article further confirm that there are survivors and refugees in need who are reluctant to ask for help. Our partner agencies have experience of working with such individuals and are ready to help. Six Point Foundation has made grants to them all to enable outreach work. We recognise that sometimes it takes a while to build trust.

If you know of anyone in need or would like to offer assistance, contact us on 020 3372 8881 or info@ sixpointfoundation.org.uk . Susan Cohen, Six Point Foundation

It was shocking to read that there are Holocaust survivors in the UK who live in poverty. I agree with the JC that this is not right and that all survivors deserve to live in comfort and dignity.

Unfortunately, I am ashamed to say that the situation in Israel is much worse.

According to latest figures from 190,000 survivors who live in Israel, a third are unable to make ends meet and have to rely on charities like Meir Panim. We see them collecting leftovers from the ground at the end of a market day in many cities. When we visit them at home many eat only bread or potatoes, and can barely live on 3,000 shekels a month let alone afford medication.

Meir Panim in Israel is helping thousands of them with food shopping cards, meals on wheels and we see them at our food centres across Israel coming to get their only hot meal of the day. We are helping many but there is much more to be done and, as your editor said: We must act now. Gabriel Blauer Executive Director, Meir Panim (UK), London, N12

Your article, Shoah survivors living in ‘shocking’ squalor ( JC, May 8) misleadingly and irresponsibly gives the impression that a sizeable number of Holocaust refugees and survivors in this country are living in abject pov-