Ellin speaks April 29 at the Linitzer Benefit Society in Toronto

Ellin brings the story of “Double Threat” to this historic Jewish immigrant relief organization, which has been doing good work and fundraising for over a century.

The Linitzer Society was founded by people from the Ukraine to aid fellow countrymen and women in need in their new adopted home of Canada. During the Second World War, the Society saw members enlist and serve in the Canadian Armed Forces, and also did fundraising to help defeat Hitler and stop the Holocaust.

From their website:

“Ten members of our society and 45 sons of society members joined the ranks of the heroic Canadian Army, Air Force and Navy. A resolution was immediately passed exempting all members who joined the armed forces from dues payments for the duration of the war, while their families were entitled to full benefits.

During the war, the society bought thousands of dollars worth of victory bonds and contributed to all war effort campaigns. The women of the Ladies’ Auxiliary knitted woolen socks for the soldiers.

One contribution that we are particularly proud of was the purchase and outfitting of a mobile dental clinic which was presented on the steps of City Hall at a special ceremony. Mayor Conboy accepted the clinic from President Brother Morris Resnick, and expressed the gratitude and appreciation of the Canadian people to the Linitzer Society.

At the same time we did not neglect the needs of our society and during those years, a second cemetery was purchased.

In 1943 we marked the 30th Anniversary of our society and a suitable celebration to mark the occasion took place on January 15, 1944, in the King Edward Hotel.

Although the 30th Anniversary Celebration took place during the war, victory over the Fascist murderers seemed more and more certain. Hitler’s armies were suffering setbacks on all fronts and a great feeling of hope was growing in the hearts of all freedom loving peoples. At the banquet we had the opportunity to honour some of the soldiers who served in the Army and we rejoiced in the victories of the Canadian Army as well as the Allied Armies. All who attended the banquet remember what a beautiful celebration it was.

A very joyous banquet took place in 1946 at the King Edward Hotel, at which we welcomed all returned boys from the armed forces and also celebrated the victory over the common enemy.”