Vision

Ner Ya'akov is a non-profitable organization that was founded in Israel with the purpose of caring for Holocaust survivors in every way possible. The organization has a "Center for Holocaust Survivors", which provides a warm caring home for survivors, a place for survivors to come on holidays and rest and recovery after illness. The Center also hosts reconciliation meetings and receives groups from Israel and around the world to connect them to the past. The organization also provides "Practical Help" for the last living witnesses of the Holocaust in their private homes. Its founding was inspired by the desire of committed German Christians who long to bring comfort to these last living witnesses and humbly express the desire of reconciliation following those awful experiences of the the past.

Ner Ya'akov was founded with the goal: That it would be a candle of hope and comfort to the Holocaust survivors.

In the Memory of Yaakov Thalenberg

Bella Steiner, a survivor of Auschwitz, became a good friend to Inge Buhs. As their friendship grew, she shared the story of her grandfather, Yaakov Thalenberg. He was born in Poland in the late 19th century.  His home was warm and loving, a place where everybody in need found a welcome reception and solace. Tragically, Yaakov Thalenberg's life ended when he was shot at a mass grave during the Holocaust.  He was dearly loved by Bella, whose greatest comfort was to see Ner Ya'akov named to honor her grandfather.  His warm-hearted home was the essence of Inge's vision for a place of comfort for Holocaust survivors.

Yaakov Thalenberg's house in Poland

 

Background

After many years of work in Israel, Inge Buhs saw the need for a home for Holocaust Survivors who were alone or could not hope to immigrate to Israel without having a place to come to.

This home has over the past years developed into a 'Center for Holocaust Survivors.'

In 1983, Inge was inspired by this Scripture from Ruth 1:16 to come to Israel:

"And Ruth said: '...for wherever you will go, I will go; and wherever you will lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people and your God shall be my God.'"

From that time on, the God of Israel has given Inge a deep love for the Jewish people.

After taking a course in Germany on caring for senior adults, Inge had her first hands-on experience in a nursing home in Haifa.  Later, she was invited to work for a clinic, where she grew close to a precious survivor of Auschwitz, Bella Steiner. 

As their friendship grew, so did Inge's understanding of the Holocaust and her desire to take an active part in the work of reconciliation between the Jewish people and Christians - especially German Christians. It was 1987 when Inge's work with Holocaust survivors began, taking her to the bedsides of the infirmed and dying, and into the homes and lives of many survivors.

After a period of study and practical experience in a hospital, Inge continued to help Holocaust survivors in Israel with housework, cleaning, shopping and nursing care.

She developed close relationships with these precious people, fulfilling her heart's desire to listen and express through very practical help the hope to bring true comfort to many suffering survivors.  Along with two other organizations, Inge reached out to survivors all over Israel before expanding to those hidden away in the former Soviet Union.  During three trips to Belarus and one to Ukraine, they brought aid and the Lord's love to many whom the world had forgotten. 

After many years of working in Israel,  Inge saw the need for a home for Holocaust survivors.

A few committed German Christians came alongside of Inge to support this vision that the holocaust survivors could live out their days in an atmosphere of love and security. The organization was founded by her and others in Israel dedicated to the same goal: that Ner Yaakov would be a candle of hope and comfort for these last living witnesses of the holocaust.

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