At age 3, Claire and her family fled Bulgaria for Greece to find refuge in the Pelion Mountain region of northern Greece. For years, her parents prioritized family and safety in order to survive Nazism during WWII. Although she was a child, Claire recalls the emotional toll that hiding had on her and her family. "In the years when my family were hiding in the Pelion Mountain, there were helicopters above dropping flyers with messages from the Nazis telling Jewish people to check in with them." Her family kept to themselves, so they did not attract suspicion.

Claire’s family immigrated to the U.S. in the late 1950s and although it was a challenge to adjust to life in the U.S., they were grateful to be alive. Claire married and had her own family, instilling in them compassion and strength to persevere. Throughout the course of her life, she has found that "You have to sacrifice a lot to survive, and you must be resourceful with what little you have but keep your head up high and persevere." She now embraces life by knowing that you can survive, "you have to find a way to keep surviving."

Thank you to Claire for sharing her story and wisdom. Please remember our Holocaust survivors on International Remembrance Day, donate online to keep them comfortable and safe in their own homes for as long as possible. Thank you for your support!

Anxiety is a fact of life. While anxiety never killed anyone, many have died trying to avoid it. The critical point is managing anxiety by facing it. When you are feeling anxious, take some time and think about why you are feeling this way. It may be due to obvious things such as a work assignment or relationship tension; it also may be unclear why you feel anxious just that you feel anxious. The main techniques to cope with anxiety involve becoming more aware of your surroundings. The most important thing to remember when you're anxious, even in a panic attack, is that you are not going to die from this. You are uncomfortable but as you gather your resources and slow your thoughts, you will find that you are more able to face the situation. If you've tried interventions like breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation without success, it may be time to talk to a therapist for more help. Anxiety is an extremely common condition in our society, but it is treatable and bearable.

When we are anxious, we tend to breathe in a much shallower manner which delivers less oxygen to our brain and makes us feel more apprehensive. When you are not anxious, practice some breathing exercises such as the 4-7-8 method:

• Close your mouth and quietly inhale through your nose to a mental count of four.
• Hold your breath for a count of seven.
• Exhale through your mouth, making a whoosh sound for a count of eight.
• Repeat the process three more times for a total of four breath cycles. 

It is critical that you practice this when you are not anxious, so that you are able to utilize it when you're feeling more anxious. For more techniques on how to get through an anxious moment, visit: Healthline.com - Grounding Techniques

Keeping Wellness in Mind is a monthly spotlight to promote wellness. Each month, JFS Counseling Services highlights practices promoting mental and emotional wellbeing. JFS Counseling Services provides professional behavioral health therapy to assist individuals, couples, and families in addressing life’s challenges. To learn more, call 732-777-1940 or visit www.jfsmiddlesex.org/counseling. 

Each week, we will spotlight a JFS program in our Get to Know JFS Series – This week is our Holocaust Survivor Services:

Here in Middlesex County, JFS cares for nearly 200 Holocaust Survivors, providing homecare, kosher meals on wheels, transportation, medical and dental financial assistance, and more to ensure that they can age in place at home in comfort with dignity. Café Europa, the monthly socialization luncheon we host for survivors ensures that they enjoy a nutritious meal in the company of other survivors. The name comes from a café in Stockholm, Sweden where survivors would meet after the war to try to find family and friends. Many survivors only feel genuinely comfortable among others who have shared similar experiences and instinctively understand each other. Café Europa immeasurably adds to their quality of life and in many cases gives them emotional strength to keep going.

To support JFS’ aging Holocaust survivors, please donate online at www.jfsmiddlesex.org/donate-form. Thank you!