Project Ahava: Safe Independent Living for Sami
Help Holocaust survivor Sami Steigmann move into a safe independent living community. Every dollar helps provide stable housing, security, and dignity so Sami can continue living independently.
Sami's Story
Sami Steigmann is a Holocaust survivor in his late 80s who endured unimaginable hardship as a young child in a Nazi labor camp in Ukraine. He suffered starvation, brutal conditions, and was subjected to Nazi medical experiments that caused lifelong pain. After the war, Sami rebuilt his life, eventually immigrating to the United States alone with no money and without knowing English, where he worked to support himself and later made New York City his permanent home.
Rather than living as a victim, Sami chose to become a survivor and educator, dedicating his life to sharing his story and teaching lessons of resilience, compassion, and courage. He has spoken to thousands of students and communities, ensuring the Holocaust is never forgotten.
Today, Sami has officially moved out of the unsafe Harlem apartment where he spent years climbing three flights of stairs each day and living without air conditioning. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, he now resides in a wonderful independent living community where he can age in place with dignity, stability, and the care he deserves.
Project Ahava is now focused on ensuring Sami never has to worry about moving again by securing the long-term funding needed to keep him safely in his new home.
Monthly Cost of Independent Living
Housing and essential living expenses: $6,000 per month
Existing Monthly Support
- Social Security: $1,600
- Romanian Holocaust Reparations: $700
- Blue Card Assistance: $1,500
Total Monthly Income: $3,800
The Real Gap
Monthly shortfall: $2,200
What Project Ahava Covers
- Closes Sami's monthly shortfall
- Helps ensure he never has to leave his home again
- Provides long-term housing stability
- Helps cover essential living expenses as he ages
- Creates lasting peace of mind
Why We Are Raising $250,000
While Sami receives $3,800 each month through Social Security, Holocaust reparations, and Blue Card assistance, the cost of keeping him safely housed and supported is approximately $6,000 per month, leaving a $2,200 monthly gap.
Project Ahava is raising $250,000 to establish a restricted fund dedicated exclusively to Sami's housing and essential living needs, ensuring he can remain in his new home with dignity, security, and stability for years to come.
Where the Money Goes
- 100% goes directly toward supporting Holocaust survivor Sami Steigmann.
- No administrative fees
- No organizational overhead
- Restricted exclusively for Sami's housing and essential living expenses
The Impact
- A safe home
- Long-term independence
- Dignity and stability
- Freedom from financial uncertainty
- Peace of mind for a Holocaust survivor who has spent his life educating future generations
This is not emergency relief. It is planned certainty.
This is what Project Ahava exists to do.
Donate by Check
If you would like to support Sami by check, please make it payable to:
Project Ahava: Sami Steigmann
Mail to:
Chicago Jewish Alliance
4950 Madison St., Unit 321
Skokie, IL 60076
The Chicago Jewish Alliance utilizes Zeffy, a 100% free fundraising platform for nonprofits, ensuring every dollar raised goes directly to the cause. At checkout, donors can select a $0 contribution toward Zeffy's optional fee, meaning neither the donor nor the nonprofit is required to pay transaction costs. This maximizes the impact of every donation.
*All funds raised will be placed in a restricted fund in accordance with 501(c)(3) guidelines and used for Holocaust survivor housing.