B'nai Brith 1998 Press Releases Page

Holocaust Survivors Honoured by Government

Toronto, November 18, 1998

For Immediate Release

(Ottawa, Wednesday November 18^th) - Today, in a very moving ceremony on Parliament Hill, fifty Holocaust survivors from across Canada were honoured by the Federal government. These fifty individuals and their families represent the thousands of survivors who, out of the ashes of the Holocaust, were able to put the horrors of the past behind them and forge a new life for themselves in Canada. This unprecedented occasion, entitled "achor-we will remember" commemorates the accomplishments of the survivors, and marks the 50^th anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The afternoon began with the survivors and their families as guests in the Speaker's Gallery, of the House of Commons. They were introduced by the Speaker and statements were made by representatives of each of the parties. They were then hosted at a reception in the Speaker's private dining room. “It is an honour for me to participate in this event”, said Speaker Gilbert Parent. “We must never forget the devastation of the Holocaust but we must also celebrate the fact that it could not quench the spirit of its victims. The Holocaust survivors who came to Canada continue to be valuable contributors to Canadian society and we are a better country because of them.”

Following the Speaker's reception, a large gathering in Room 200 in the West Block welcomed the survivors and their guests. Judge Sigmund Reiser, himself a Holocaust survivor, presided over a reaffirmation ceremony of their Canadian citizenship. The 50 survivors were then greeted by Deputy Prime Minister Herb Gray and presented with a citation by the Honorable Hedy Fry. The citation read as follows: “On the occasion of the 50^th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, on behalf of all the men, women, and children who survived the Holocaust and overcame the greatest tragedy imaginable, for taking strength from your experience and turning your lives to the betterment of your family, community, and country, we are eternally grateful.” The citation was inscribed with the Canadian coat of arms and official seal.

“We know how precious human rights and freedoms are. We know what citizenship means. We have survived the worst, but given back our best. O Canada, we stand on guard for thee!”, said Dr. Joel Dimitry, Past President of the Canadian Society for Yad Vashem, who was the master of ceremonies of the program.

This memorable and moving event was co-sponsored by the Canadian government and a coalition of national community organizations, including: B'nai Brith Canada, Canadian Jewish Congress, Canadian Holocaust Remembrance Association, Canadian Friends of the Simon Wiesenthal Center and the Canadian Society for Yad Vashem. “It is not we who honour you, but you who honour us by your very presence, by your choosing Canada, and by your outstanding contribution. May you go from strength to strength,” said Rochelle Wilner Senior Vice President of B'nai Brith Canada, who had the honour of presenting each honoree as they received their certificate.

The fifty honoured survivors and there families were then hosted at a dinner at Beth Shalom Synagogue, chaired by Nate Leipziger of the Canadian Jewish Congress. The Keynote Speaker, was the Honorable Arthur Eggleton, Minister of Defense. “I am proud to be part of this inaugural event” said Eggelton in an earlier statement. “It is important not only in our community, but in all communities across Canada that we recognize and honour the people who have contributed significantly to the fabric of Canadian society.”

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