Pro Bono Dental Work on Financially Challenged Holocaust Survivors

Normally I insert a question from a reader here and then follow it up with an answer, mostly a correct one, and then add a little offensive, observational humor or personal family story (also sometimes offensive.)

Today, however I want to share a letter from just one of the many pro bono Holocaust survivors living at or below the poverty level referred by Jewish Family Services of Palm Beach County. We performed dental implant surgery on this patient to replace missing upper front teeth.

“Dear Dr. Josephs:

As I sit here pondering how to say this, tears come to my eyes, with the knowledge of knowing how you are treating me with your upmost gentleness and care. I am so very humbled by all this and don’t know how to repay your kindness.

Three years in a concentration camp and all the abuse I endured, ending up in England where it continued because of major antisemitism coupled with dentists not using anything to numb me left me petrified of the dentist. Hence the mess in my mouth. And then I met you…thanks to JFS; Jewish Family Services of Palm Beach County. You have restored my faith once again; especially in human kindness.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart, for the kind of human being you are and the goodness you have shown me. I am truly grateful and so proud to have met you.

May you be blessed a thousand times and more.

Yours Humbly, “

(Name withheld for privacy.)