Slovenia

Overview

Sitting on the Alpine border with Austria at the northernmost tip of the former Yugoslavia, Slovenia was the first Yugoslav republic to declare its independence in 1991. Having evaded most of the Balkan conflict that followed Yugoslavia’s disintegration, it now enjoys an enviable socioeconomic status.

Need

While most of the Jews of Slovenia survived the Holocaust, the majority of them subsequently immigrated to Israel, leaving behind a small and isolated community that has not benefited from the country’s positive economic trends. The community was assimilated into the larger population during the Yugoslav era and became disconnected even from the secular social and cultural activities that linked other former Yugoslav Jewish communities.

Response

JDC assists the community in meeting the welfare needs of its less fortunate, including a small number of Holocaust survivors. It supports holiday celebrations and the services of a rabbi from Italy, and aids in efforts to reclaim communal property. JDC’s efforts include:

• Monthly cash assistance for elderly and disabled welfare clients
• Help with rent payments for community premises
• Financial support for various cultural activities

Impact

No longer isolated, the Slovenian Jewish community is active today on the global Jewish scene and participates in JDC-sponsored initiatives. Throughout the Balkans, JDC enables local Jewish communities to take part in cross-border gatherings that it facilitates and supports. Such events strengthen regional ties and are especially valuable to those living in the smaller, more distant communities.

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