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She is 109 years old, a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She is also Miami-Dade County’s oldest known living Holocaust survivor, and one of the oldest in the United States. Malka “Mollie” Horwitz is more than just a living witness to history—she is a symbol of survival, strength, and hope.
Born in Lithuania on March 16, 1916, Mollie was just 25 when Hitler’s forces invaded her homeland. She spent four harrowing years imprisoned in a ghetto, lost her husband, and was forced to separate from her young son for his safety. After the war, against impossible odds, they were reunited and fled to Cuba before immigrating to the United States with only $20 and two children.
Today, Mollie lives in Miami Beach and has been a client of Jewish Community Services of South Florida (JCS) for over 11 years, where she receives compassionate, in-home care, food assistance and case management through its Holocaust Survivor Assistance Program. The program provides vital services—from personal care and meals to social support—for more than 500 Holocaust survivors in Miami-Dade County. The average age of these clients is 94.5, making the need for comprehensive elder care and legacy preservation more critical than ever.
“Mollie’s life is a powerful reminder that even in the face of unspeakable tragedy, the human spirit can endure,” said Natalie Herradon, Director of Case Management at JCS. “We are honored to care for her and to help preserve her legacy.”
In recognition of her extraordinary life, the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners officially declared March 16 as “Mollie Horwitz Day.” The proclamation celebrates her enduring impact on the community and the importance of Holocaust remembrance.
As the nation approaches June 4th—Holocaust Survivor Day, JCS joins communities across the country in honoring survivors like Mollie, whose courage and resilience are a vital part of history and collective memory. This day underscores the urgent need to support survivors as they age and to ensure their stories are preserved for future generations.
The Holocaust Survivor Assistance Program at JCS ensures that survivors like Mollie receive the dignity, care, and companionship they need in their final years. Services include personal care, food assistance, and social support—helping each survivor age in place with comfort and dignity.
As we lose more survivors each year, stories like Mollie’s highlight the urgent need for continued care, education, and remembrance.
Mollie now enjoys visits from her two children, seven grandchildren, and one great-grandchild—proof that her legacy, like her life, continues.
To support JCS’ Holocaust Survivor Assistance Program, please visit:
https://jcsfl.org/donate/.
About Jewish Community Services of South Florida
Since 1920, Jewish Community Services of South Florida, based on Jewish values, has remained true to its mission in providing a resilient safety-net of health and social services through a broad array of programs that promote, health, safety, and self-sufficiency. By collaborating with community partners, funders, hundreds of volunteers, sister organizations and local leaders, our team continuously strengthens its engagement and impact. Our professional team continues to provide healing and hope in serving the many layered needs of residents in our diverse and vibrant community. JCS is here for you. Learn more at https://jcsfl.org/.
