Ellin speaks about D-Day75 anniversary at the North York Historical Society Oct. 16, 2019

Fresh back from her voyage to Normandy, France to mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day, Canadian author and journalist Ellin Bessner shares some unforgettable tales of following in the footsteps of the 14,000 Canadian soldiers who stormed the beaches on June 6, 1944. That historic invasion helped turn the tide of the Second World War, and brought it to an end eleven months later.

In the process, thousands of Canadian and Allied troops lost their lives, including over 70 Canadians of Jewish faith. In her new book “Double Threat“,  Ellin will tell you who they were, why they went, and how they had to overcome not only the constant danger of being in combat, but also the widespread antisemitism in the ranks and on the battlefield. And the double danger, should they be captured by the Nazis and their Hebrew identities be discovered. You will meet some of the most famous Canadian Jewish fighters of WWII, and hear in their own voices what it was like for this greatest generation to free the world from Hitler’s tyranny. Books will be available for sale and signing at the event.