London’s Jewish community marks Holocaust Remembrance Day
About 150 people took part in a solemn ceremony Monday evening at London’s Jewish community centre — it was to recognize Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Among them, Holocaust survivors Anna Leich, Alice Nagus, and Rose Klein, who took part in the lighting of the memorial menorah.
“My parents had a lot of siblings, it was a large family, and they all perished, they were all murdered,” said Rose as she gathered strength from her close friends Anna and Alice. “I am living here as a lone survivor,” she explained.
“There’s two stories here,” added Alice. “One of survival for kids like me, and one of survival for my parents and my brothers,” she said.
“It means we should never forget, especially with our world a little bit cockeyed right now, that people have to care and look out for each other,” said Anna.
The keynote speaker for the event was 19 year old Lorenz Joelli from Austria.
He’s currently performing his national service working at the new Toronto Holocaust Museum.
Keynote speaker 19 year old Lorenz Joelli from Austria who is performing his country’s national service working at the Toronto Holocaust Museum. May 6, 2024. (Bryan Bicknell/CTV News London)It’s an alternative to military service which Austria offers for young people to engage in the work of historical memory and reconciliation.
Lorenz says current events show antisemitism continues to be a struggle.
“It’s important more than ever, especially with this gigantic rise of anti-Semitism since after Oct. 7. It’s more important than ever. I think if everybody does their part you can keep the stories alive. Even though the Holocaust happened over 80 years ago never let your kids or your grandkids forget about it,” he said.
London Mayor Josh Morgan also offered remarks.
He urges community members to stand up to hate, “Hate in all its forms is on the rise globally. You have to seek out the roots of hate and take them on head-on,” said Morgan.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Severe thunderstorms, 15 cm of snow: Canadian weather forecast highlights
Well into spring, some parts of Canada could experience a wintry comeback, while other areas are bracing for severe thunderstorms, according to local forecasts.
Pope apologizes after using 'homophobic terms'
Pope Francis apologized Tuesday after he was quoted using a vulgar term about gay men to reaffirm the Catholic Church's ban on gay priests.
At least 60 reports of Lyme disease so far as Ontario enters tick season
Peak tick season is only just beginning but reports of bites – and tick-borne illnesses – are already higher than normal in Ontario.
Spy watchdog's foreign interference review finds 'unacceptable gaps' in accountability
The Canadian Security Intelligence Service and Public Safety Canada lacked a system for tracking who received and read specific intelligence on foreign interference, creating 'unacceptable gaps in accountability,' the national spy watchdog has found.
House from 'Home Alone' hits the market for US$5.25 million
Kevin McCallister’s childhood home has hit the market for US$5.25 million. At just over 9,000 square feet, the house from the 'Home Alone' movie was last sold in 2012 for $1,585,000.
Teen was doing homework at family's Mississauga, Ont. restaurant when gunman opened fire: testimony
The 13-year-old sister of a young man killed in the attack on her family’s Mississauga restaurant in 2021 took the stand in a Brampton courthouse on Monday to describe the terrifying moments of coming under fire.
Tornado touches down west of the Island of Montreal
Emergency services in the town of Rigaud, Que. are investigating after a tornado touched down shortly after 5:30 p.m.
Richard Dreyfuss' comments about women, LGBTQ2S+ people and diversity lead venue to apologize
The actor Richard Dreyfuss showed up in a dress at a 'Jaws'-themed event in Massachusetts, where the blockbuster 1975 movie he starred in was shot, and then proceeded to make demeaning remarks about women, LGBTQ2S+ people and diversity.
More Canadians only making minimum payment on credit cards: TransUnion
Some Canadians are seeing their credit card balances grow as the cost-of-living crisis and higher interest rates eat into household budgets, a new report shows.