Ellin speaks about D-Day 75 at Am Shalom Synagogue in Barrie, Ontario on Aug. 22, 2019

During WWII, tens of thousands of Canadian servicemen, including many Jewish personnel, were stationed at Camp Borden near Barrie, or passed through on their way overseas. Among them was Capt. David Monson, known as “The People’s Rabbi”, an Ottawa-born Jewish clergyman who brought oranges and kosher salamis to the Jewish men at Borden when he held weekly Jewish “Church Parades”. He didn’t discriminate if some non-Jewish soldiers wanted to attend, and they got the treats, too.

Monson’s contribution to Canada’s military victory against Hitler is just one of the stories you will hear as Ellin Bessner speaks at the National Council of Jewish Women Simcoe branch monthly lecture, and introduces you to the 17,000 Canadians of Jewish faith who put on a uniform, helped defeat Hitler, and rescued the survivors of the Holocaust.

Bessner spent six years researching and interviewing over 300 Jewish veterans and their families to find out who they were, why they went, and how they overcame widespread antisemitism at home, in the barracks and on the battlefield. As well, you will hear about some of the 270 Canadian Jewish women who enlisted, and also about countless more who supported the war effort from the home front.  Books will be available for sale and signing at the event.