The story of our association is brief in the grand scheme of history, as we were only in existence for some 70 years, but our contribution to our country and the story of Jewish veterans is, we hope, immortal.  

After WWII, a group of Jewish veterans who had served in the Canadian Armed Forces—some of whom were highly ranked and decorated—established the Jewish War Veterans of Canada. 

We came into existence to raise awareness of the contributions of Jewish Canadians to all branches of the military, past and present, and to our country’s rich culture and history. Above all, we existed to remember and pay tribute to those who fought for freedom on behalf of Canada. We were also a support to each other, with funds made available to those who needed assistance. Overall, we were a proud group of Jewish Canadians who sought to share our collective story with the Canadian community. 

Of all ethnic minorities, Jewish people represented the highest number of those who enlisted during WWII. As such, in its infancy, the Jewish War Veterans of Canada was a sizeable group comprised of former soldiers, officers, and military personnel. 

In its heyday, the Jewish War Veterans of Canada had six chapters across Canada. Over time, there was less interest and membership began to dwindle. Although we dissolved as a charity in 2023, we are pleased to know that we still exist in name with a fund set up at the Jewish Foundation. With what we had left in our coffer, we are now investing and able to distribute to a number of charitable causes. We are, in some small part, still making a meaningful contribution to society. 

There is a special memorial standing at the entrance of the Sherman Campus in North York, paying tribute to Jewish veterans, that includes the names of those who made the ultimate sacrifice with their lives, as well as all those who served. And, now with our story included in the Book of Life, we have a physical record of the contributions of Canadian Jewish war veterans, among the countless community members that give back to our society. This serves several purposes: it memorializes the Jewish veterans who fought for freedom in many wars and conflicts, it highlights our patriotism as proud Canadians, and it underscores the important value of tzedakah and supporting the community.