Slovakia

Overview

Slovakia became an independent nation in 1993 with the dissolution of Czechoslovakia. It is considered a high income country but has lagged behind its former partner, the Czech Republic, in economic development. Slovakia joined the European Union in 2004.

Need

Accession to the European Union required Slovakia to undertake economic reforms that involved extensive government cutbacks in social services, health programs, and the pension system. As a result, the elderly and the sick have faced significant economic hardship. Additionally, a lack of skills suited to the new market economy caused unemployment to soar among people in the middle generation.

Response

JDC’s original work in Slovakia (then part of Czechoslovakia) focused on meeting the needs of elderly Jews and providing religious materials to the Jewish community. Today, JDC works in partnership with the Central Union of Slovak Jewish Communities (UZZNO) and other community organizations to help meet the changing needs of Jews of all ages, needs that have grown as a result of the large middle generation’s struggle to find work. JDC’s efforts include:

• Welfare programs for Holocaust survivors, including medical care
• Kosher kitchens
• Informal Jewish educational programs and activities at the multigenerational Mercaz Jewish Community Center in Bratislava

Impact

With JDC’s assistance, an average of 2,200 meals are produced each month for the elderly and for other needy members of the community at the Bratislava Kosher Kitchen.

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