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Volume 3, Winter 2002 - If Not Now e-journal


Welcome to the sixth edition of If Not Now, the e-Journal dedicated to professional and family caregivers of aging survivors of the Holocaust. Many of us have been steeped in coming to terms with the concepts of genocide, terrorism, war, trauma and post trauma survival both academically and professionally. Many of us come from survivor families where the studies and the realities are intertwined. Sadly, many of us have a new understanding and sensitivity for both the work we do and the people we do it for, since September 11, 2001. We who work with survivors of genocide know that trauma can leave a lingering and dangerous legacy. We also know how it can transform into resilience, mutual aid and support and a renewed commitment to ensuring a sense of community security and safety. The events of September 11 and subsequent responses have shaken the world so that now many more are aware of survivors of genocide and the people who care for and about them.

Once again, this issue has articles in different languages. We have represented different languages, different perspectives, different ages and different cultures. There are academic articles, personal narratives and poetry. Whether an adult child of Survivors of the Holocaust, a Survivor of the Rwandan Genocide or an Israeli teenager living in the midst of a terrorist onslaught… we deal with trauma, understanding it and supporting elderly survivors. The language of trauma, pain and loss are sadly… universal. On September 11, 2001, the world was reminded of this universality.

This edition is dedicated to those people who lost their lives in the attacks of September 11… may all of our work and considerations support their families and friends through difficult times and may our work for aging survivors of the Holocaust help shed new understanding into coping with trauma.

Paula David,
Editor; If Not Now
Coordinator, Holocaust
Resource Project
Baycrest, Toronto
pdavid@baycrest.org