Both Willy’s and my parents were Holocaust survivors from Poland who, against all odds, endured the unimaginable horrors and losses of the Shoah. 

My father lost his wife and two little girls in the gas chambers. After the war, despite his profound grief, he found the strength to start anew. He met and married my mother, and together they rebuilt their lives. Eventually, they settled in Paris, France, where I was born. 

Willy’s parents also found each other in the aftermath of the war, bonded by shared trauma but also by hope. They immigrated to Canada and settled in Toronto, where Willy was born. 

Both sets of parents arrived in their new countries with nothing—no money, no belongings, and no knowledge of the language. But with extraordinary resilience, hard work, and determination, they built successful businesses and provided their children with the opportunities they never had. They taught us perseverance, gratitude, and a deep responsibility to our Jewish identity. 

Growing up, our parents’ love for Judaism and family shaped who we are. Their values were simple but profound: family always comes first, living a Jewish life is non-negotiable, and preserving Jewish identity is an obligation. They also held a deep love and support for the State of Israel, a sentiment that has been at the heart of our family ever since. 

My journey to Toronto was unexpected but life-changing. My family had relatives there, and during one of my visits in 1972, I met Willy. We fell in love, and I decided to move to Toronto. One of the things I cherished most about living here was that, unlike in Paris, I could proudly embrace my Jewish identity without fear. 

Throughout our lives, our parents remained our guiding light. Whenever Willy and I encountered challenges, we reminded ourselves of what they had endured. Their struggles were far greater than anything we faced, and that perspective always helped us push forward. 

We learned the importance of philanthropy through our synagogue and from generous donors who showed us that the needs of our Jewish community are endless. Long after we are gone, those needs will remain. Today, with the alarming rise in antisemitism, we feel a greater urgency than ever to give back. 

That’s why we chose to establish a fund through the Jewish Foundation. Supporting Jewish organizations and investing in Jewish education are vital to ensuring the future of our community. It is not always easy, but it is essential. We feel privileged to contribute, just as our parents did before us.