Survivors of the Holocaust faced enormous challenges as they resettled in new countries. The Holocaust had decimated their families, wiped out their homes and communities, and left deep scars of trauma and loss. The diversity and richness of Jewish life across Europe was destroyed.
Survivors who came to Canada, nevertheless, rebuilt their lives, learned new languages, started families, and established new communities. They contributed to all aspects of Canadian society, notably in the fields of human rights, law, music, theatre, and more. Moreover, by pushing our government to take action against racist hate propaganda, they helped to shape Canada’s policies towards antisemitism, leading to its criminalization in the 1970s. Their legacy lives on through their accomplishments, resolve to be good citizens and testimonies of loss and survival. Many survivors have chosen to share their experiences to educate new generations about the horrors of the Holocaust and the evils of racism.