Ellin speaks to the Untold Lecture series at the Schwartz Reisman Centre Wednesday Nov. 21, 2019

“A Score to Settle with Hitler”: How Canada’s 17,000 Jewish fighters helped win WWII, defeat Hitler, and rescue the survivors of the Holocaust

When most people think about Jews and the Second World War, they think about the victims of the Holocaust. But now a new book by Canadian journalist Ellin Bessner tells the untold story of how and why more than 17,000 Canadian Jews put on a uniform and served in the war, as the liberators. And how Canada’s tiny Jewish community mobilized men, money, and equipment to win the war. These soldiers, airmen and sailers faced widespread anti-Semitism at home, and in the barracks, and on the battlefield. And they faced great personal danger, should the Nazis catch them. Yet for Canada’s fighting Jews, this war was their war more than any one else in Canada’s forces: it was their “score to settle with Hitler.” They helped defeat Hitler, and rescued the victims of the Final Solution.

Some of the famous Canadians you’ll hear about include Monte Hall, Wayne and Shuster, Ben Dunkelman, Barney Danson, Lloyd Bochner, senators Jack Marshall and David Croll, David Steinberg, and more.

Books will be available at the event for purchase and signing. For more information, please check out the author’s website: https://ellinbessner.com/