Bulgaria
Overview
This Balkan state is located in the southern part of Eastern Europe and was part of the Soviet bloc until 1990, when it held its first multiparty election. The Jewish community, primarily Sephardic Jews, numbered 50,000 prior to World War II and was largely spared during the Holocaust. Since then, however, most of Bulgaria’s Jews have immigrated to Israel, leaving behind a community of less than 10,000.
Need
Bulgaria is working toward economic stability but struggles with inflation, unemployment, corruption, and crime. These social and economic challenges leave the nation’s elderly particularly at risk. Still, the community is a strong one, with a desire for greater self-sufficiency in its Jewish communal life.
Response
In cooperation with Shalom, the Jewish community’s social and cultural organization, JDC provides assistance to Holocaust survivors and other elderly Jews through welfare programs that include winter relief and medical care. JDC also provides:
- Meals-on-wheels for homebound elderly
- A day center and summer camps for the aged
- Vaccinations and free dental exams for children at risk
In addition, JDC supports the Bulgarian Jewish community’s work to build a Jewish future through:
- Jewish Community Centers
- Educational opportunities like the Hevruta conference, which brought together members of the Jewish community to explore religious texts and ideas
Impact
Working in collaboration with Shalom, JDC annually provides nearly 1,000 pensioners with winter relief. Each year, JDC also provides:
- 1,000 elderly with necessary medicines, vitamins, and vaccines
- 55 homebound elderly with hot meals through its meals-on-wheels program
- 300 elderly Jews with summer vacations through its Golden Age summer camps
- 200 children from 16 communities outside Sofia with a Jewish summer camp experience
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