JL;DR

Eighty years after the liberation of Bergen-Belsen, Jack Marcovitch's daughters recount their father's experiences as a liberator and the subsequent impact on his life. Despite his heroism, Marcovitch rarely spoke of the trauma he witnessed, which included the arrest of the camp's notorious commandant.

Jared McBride and his students uncovered a trove of historical RCMP war crimes files detailing investigations into alleged Nazi war criminals who entered Canada, long thought to be secret but actually accessible online for five years. This discovery challenges the Canadian government's stance on maintaining confidentiality over its Nazi war criminals list, potentially altering the ongoing legal efforts by Jewish organizations to unveil these documents.

Jewish genealogist Stanley Diamond helped uncover the true identity of Maria Vasitinskaya, born Rivka Silber, who was left in a ditch during the Holocaust and raised as a Christian, by connecting her with her surviving Jewish relatives decades later. Author Amy Fish shares the story's journey to publication and her personal connection to the tale, revealing the profound impact of family reunions on Holocaust survivors.

This episode of The CJN Daily examines the poignant grief and resilience displayed by Canada's Jewish community following the murder of the Bibas family, highlighting the international mourning and vigils held in response. The episode also delves into individual stories of mourning, expressions of solidarity, and the ongoing commitment to hope and remembrance in the face of tragedy.

Diana Mara Henry and Gabriel Scheinmann uncover the life of André, a German Jew who became a key figure in the French Resistance against Nazis during World War II. Through his espionage and sabotage work, André, originally Joseph Scheinmann, exemplified relentless defiance and courage, eventually surviving the war and immigrating to America.

Israeli hostages freed from prolonged captivity by Hamas face intense physical and mental health challenges, with experts like Professor Hagai Levine criticizing the Israeli government's insufficient long-term care plans. As the nation celebrates their release, systemic issues with rehabilitation, support for families, and international involvement regarding ongoing hostage situations are urgently highlighted.

Noah Efron, Allison Kaplan Sommer, and Ohad Zeltzer-Zubida discuss the Israeli Justice Minister's refusal to recognize the new chief justice of the Supreme Court, questioning the legitimacy of the process. They also reflect on the controversial comparison between the Holocaust and the events of October 7th, amid International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Canadian politicians and Holocaust survivors commemorated the 80th anniversary of Auschwitz's liberation, highlighting the continuing fight against antisemitism and promoting Holocaust education in Canada. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's visit to Poland was juxtaposed with domestic political rhetoric, as leadership figures critiqued each other's efforts regarding antisemitism and support for Israel.

Daniel Pelton, a musician from Calgary, was inspired by his exploration of Holocaust history to transform tattoo numbers from a Holocaust narrative into orchestral jazz. Utilizing the violins from the "Violins of Hope" collection, Pelton created a trio of songs released to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, thereby intertwining Holocaust memory with contemporary musical expression.

Dani Dayan, Chairman of Yad Vashem, discusses the complexities surrounding Holocaust remembrance and the challenges faced in international politics after the October 2023 Hamas attack in Israel. He shares concerns about rising nationalism in Europe and emphasizes Yad Vashem's educational mission amidst recent controversies with global figures like Elon Musk and Pope Francis.

Pinchas Gutter and Mariette Doduck, both Holocaust survivors, discuss their surprise and gratitude at being awarded the Order of Canada, reflecting on their lifelong dedication to Holocaust education. They emphasize the urgency of their mission to educate against antisemitism, especially following recent events on October 7th, while expressing hopes for a future without such hatred for their descendants.

Allan Novak shares the remarkable tale of his family, the world's oldest Holocaust survivor siblings, and their optimistic resilience through harrowing times, culminating in a documentary capturing their survival. The podcast delves into family dynamics, their ability to maintain positivity despite immense loss, and the lasting impact of their experiences on future generations.

Adir Miller's film "The Ring," inspired by his mother Marianne's incredible Holocaust survival story, showcases the intertwining of humor and tragedy in their lives. Marianne reflects on her journey from silence to a powerful mission to educate about the Holocaust, culminating in her address to the United Nations for International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Ruth Franklin delves into Anne Frank's evolution from a typical teenager to an iconic figure through her diary, discussing various adaptations and interpretations of her work. The episode highlights how Anne's story continues to resonate globally, illustrating the challenges and potential of rendering her Jewish identity on a universal platform in light of contemporary issues.

The Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto is hosting "Auschwitz: Not Long Ago. Not Far Away," which poignantly aligns with contemporary global events and the 80th anniversary of Auschwitz's liberation. Curators have intentionally allowed historical evidence to speak for itself, engaging visitors' critical thinking about Holocaust history and current antisemitic challenges.

Jeremy Dauber explores the intersection of Holocaust trauma and horror in Sidney Lumet's 1964 film The Pawnbroker, discussing its portrayal of Sol Nazerman's haunting memories manifested through a "thin place" in the New York subway. The episode delves into the film's innovative depiction of post-traumatic stress and its cultural implications within American and Jewish narratives.

Veteran filmmaker Allan Novak created "Crossing the River: From Poland to Paradise," a documentary about his family, the world's oldest living Holocaust survivor siblings who remarkably survived by being deported to Siberia. Novak shares the resilient and life-affirming story of his family, their survival without witnessing the atrocities of concentration camps, and their eventual thriving life in Canada.

Allan Novak, a veteran director, turned his lens inward to document his family, known as the world's oldest living Holocaust survivor siblings, in his film 'Crossing the River: From Poland to Paradise.' The film delves into their unique survival story, marked by resilience and hope, as they navigated life in Siberian forced labor camps rather than concentration camps, offering a hopeful narrative amid the backdrop of the Holocaust.

Allan Novak's documentary, "Crossing the River: From Poland to Paradise," highlights the extraordinary resilience and survival of his mother and her siblings, recognized as the world's oldest living Holocaust survivors. Through interviews and historical reconstructions, the film recounts their journey from Siberian labor camps to a thriving life in Canada, emphasizing themes of hope and endurance rather than tragedy.

Rabbi Irving Yitz Greenberg, a key figure in post-Holocaust Jewish identity, discusses his latest work, "The Triumph of Life," which proposes a new understanding of messianism and the evolving role of Judaism in modernity. The discussion, led by Yossi Klein Halevi, delves into Greenberg's ideas on covenantal messianism, responsibility versus divine intervention, and the challenges facing contemporary Judaism.

Michael Fraiman, producer of the Culturally Jewish podcast, discusses his audio drama 'Justice: A Holocaust Zombie Story,' which combines Holocaust education with a zombie narrative to engage a younger audience. Recorded live at the Toronto Holocaust Museum, this episode explores the creative motivations and public reception of blending the Holocaust with an unconventional, fictional genre.

Eva Almos, an accomplished voice actress with a diverse entertainment career, discusses her new project, "Justice: A Holocaust Zombie Story," and how she channeled her Holocaust survivor mother's voice for the role. This episode also explores Almos's personal journey navigating generational trauma, drawing from her Lithuanian mother's gentle nature and her Greek father's hardened demeanor.

Eva Almos, a voice actress and daughter of Holocaust survivors, illuminates how her mother's positivity amidst trauma influenced her latest work on an audio drama about Holocaust zombies. Her candid discussion reveals the intersection of personal history, therapy, and storytelling in grappling with generational trauma and finding creative inspiration.

Eva Almos discusses how her experience as the daughter of two Holocaust survivors influenced her latest project, an audio drama, where she channels her mother's spirit in voicing a character. Her conversation with Ralph Benmergui also explores themes of generational trauma, reconciliation with one's heritage, and the healing power of comedy.

Tanya Gold shares her insights from visiting Auschwitz in a critical examination of Holocaust tourism, highlighting how it can often trivialize Jewish history and suffering. Additionally, hosts Avi and Phoebe explore recent controversies including Hezbollah's pagers and the chaos at the Jewish Chronicle, reflecting on broader issues in Jewish memory and media ethics.

Tanya Gold discusses her visit to Auschwitz and the commercialization of its memorial site, raising concerns about the trivialization of Holocaust memory and Jewish history. The episode further explores the rise of antisemitism in Poland, the controversy over exploded Hezbollah pagers, and the ethical failures at the Jewish Chronicle.

Canadian revelations about hosting alleged Nazi war criminals in the post-World War II era have reignited debates over privacy and historical accountability, following the controversial omission of Holocaust experts in consultations about releasing pertinent files. The Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Canada and other stakeholders, including former B'nai B'rith legal director Sam Goldstein, are advocating for transparency, stressing the issue's significance to Canadian history and Jewish communities.

Talia Schlanger, known for her work in hosting music programs and interviewing artists on CBC Radio and NPR, recently shifted her focus to becoming a professional musician with the release of her debut album, "Grace for the Going." Despite her broadcasting background aiding her creatively, she found herself unprepared for the business aspects of the music industry. In an interview on The CJN's podcast, Culturally Jewish, Schlanger discusses her personal journey and Jewish identity, drawing inspiration from her Holocaust-survivor grandparents and sharing how she started wearing a Magen David necklace.

Maxwell Smart, a Holocaust survivor who spent 18 months hiding in the woods after being separated from his family, discusses his life story and its adaptation into the feature film "The Boy in the Woods". Director Rebecca Snow elaborates on the unique narrative style of the film, which blends historical reality with elements of Yiddish folklore and magic realism to explore imagination and survival.

Maxwell Smart, a prominent Holocaust survivor, discusses his harrowing story of escape and survival as depicted in the new film "The Boy in the Woods," emphasizing the impact of historical narratives on promoting empathy. Filmmaker Rebecca Snow and Smart explore the movie's creative decisions, such as using folklore elements to convey more than just trauma, making it accessible to younger audiences without diluting historical truth.

Holocaust historian Prof. Jan Grabowski discusses the misuse of Holocaust terminology in the context of the Israel-Hamas conflict, expressing concerns over the a-historic use of terms like "genocide" and "Nazi." He also highlights the challenge of educating Western students amid rising antisemitism on campuses, with some students openly hostile toward Jews.

Hagar Brodutch shares her traumatic experience as a hostage and her journey toward recovery while emphasizing the urgency of addressing the ongoing hostage crisis. The Brodutch family, temporarily in Toronto, remains grateful for the support they received and continues to advocate for peace and the safe return of remaining hostages.

Jaclyn Grossman, a Toronto-based soprano, explores the tension between performing Wagner's operas, despite the composer's antisemitic legacy, and Yiddish works by Holocaust survivors through her co-founded Likht Ensemble. Grossman argues that engaging with Wagner's music is an opportunity to address antisemitism in the arts, rather than dismissing it outright.

Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein explores the Jewish identity and heroism embodied by Janusz Korczak, a Polish pediatrician and writer who demonstrated profound commitment to his beliefs despite facing antisemitism and the horrors of the Holocaust. Korczak's refusal to wear the Jewish star and his choice to accompany the children from his orphanages to Treblinka illustrates a deep expression of Kiddush Hashem, making him a unique figure of moral courage.

IDF veterans Yoram Shalmon and Henry Balaban reflect on their experiences during the Yom Kippur War and the current war in Israel on Yom ha-Zikaron. They discuss the psychological impacts of war, the differences in military and societal responses over the decades, and the enduring importance of remembering fallen soldiers.

The 36th annual March of the Living in Poland was marked by poignant remembrance and unexpected protests, as the event took on heightened significance in the aftermath of the October 7 massacre in Israel. A Canadian family shares their experience of the march amidst a backdrop of tense geopolitical solidarity and pro-Palestinian demonstrations.

Marsha Lederman, a journalist and daughter of Holocaust survivors, discusses the significance of Yom HaShoah and shares insights from her book, "Kiss the Red Stairs," which explores intergenerational trauma. She also reflects on the challenges of processing her parents' experiences and the contemporary rise of antisemitism.

Marsha Lederman reflects on the impact of being the child of Holocaust survivors and how she navigates Yom HaShoah, finding solace in community. Her book, 'Kiss the Red Stairs,' explores intergenerational trauma, personal challenges like her divorce, and the enduring impact of her parents' Holocaust experiences.

Marsha Lederman, daughter of Holocaust survivors, discusses the intergenerational trauma she carries and how Yom HaShoah offers her a sense of community. She explores the complexities of engaging with her family's history, including her father's survival story and the transmission of trauma to her own son.

Marsha Lederman shares her experience as the daughter of Holocaust survivors, highlighting how Yom HaShoah offers a unique sense of community and solidarity amidst her lifelong concern for potential catastrophe. Through her new memoir, "Kiss the Red Stairs," she explores intergenerational trauma and how her parents' survival stories have shaped her worldview and personal anxieties.