Jewish Holocaust Survivors Stand With Haitian Caregivers Facing Deportation

In a powerful display of Jewish values and historical memory, Holocaust survivors at Sinai Residences in Boca Raton, Florida, have offered to hide their Haitian caregivers in their apartments as 350,000 Haitians face deportation from the United States.

A Bond Forged by Shared Experience

"That reminds me of Anne Frank," said Rachel Blumberg, president and CEO of Sinai Residences, where about 500 seniors live, including many Holocaust survivors. "There's a kindred bond between our residents being Jewish and seeing the place that the Haitians have gone through."

The Trump administration has moved to cancel Temporary Protected Status for immigrants from several countries, putting approximately 350,000 Haitians at risk of immediate detention and deportation. While a federal judge paused similar action for Venezuelans, Haitians face an uncertain future as their protected status expires.

Jewish Community Responds with Compassion

At Sinai Residences, 9% of staff members are Haitians with TPS status. These dedicated caregivers have weathered the COVID pandemic alongside the elderly residents they serve, forming deep bonds that transcend cultural boundaries.

"Our residents can relate to not being wanted, to being kicked out and coming to America for salvage and freedom and safety and shelter," Blumberg explained. "And they want to be able to protect the Haitians."

The response from residents has been immediate and generous. Every worker facing deportation is receiving "$2,000 and a hug" from the center, with many residents contributing additional funds from their own pockets.

Living Jewish Values in Action

Reuben Rotman, president and CEO of the Network of Jewish Human Services Agencies, emphasized the connection between this crisis and Jewish identity: "This is part of our Jewish identity and ethos, to serve our full community with Jewish values and welcoming the stranger."

The situation highlights a fundamental principle rooted in Jewish tradition. As our ancestors knew the pain of exile and persecution, today's Jewish community recognizes the moral imperative to protect those facing similar threats.

Beyond Moral Obligation: Practical Consequences

The deportation of Haitian workers will create significant challenges for senior care facilities across America. With 69% of Sinai Residences' staff being foreign-born, the facility faces a critical shortage that will likely increase costs and reduce care quality.

"There will be no caregivers in this country if our isolationist policies are all enforced," warned one Jewish senior living director who requested anonymity.

Ruth Katz, president and CEO of the Association for Jewish Aging Services, noted that senior living executives are now scrambling to understand federal immigration policy as they prepare for workforce disruptions.

A Call to Action

Sinai residents have launched a letter-writing campaign to Washington and plan to attend weekend protests against ICE operations. Their activism demonstrates that age does not diminish the Jewish commitment to justice and compassion.

"The Haitians cannot go back to Haiti. They'll be murdered," Blumberg stated bluntly. "The gangs have taken over the country, and it is life-threatening for them. And our residents do recognize and realize that."

This crisis reveals both the best of Jewish values and the complex challenges facing America's immigration system. As Holocaust survivors offer sanctuary to modern-day refugees, they remind us that the Jewish experience of persecution creates an eternal obligation to protect the vulnerable, regardless of their origin.