Program honours memory of those who perished before their time

This year, through the UJA Federation Holocaust Centre of Toronto, more than 45 bar and bat mitzvah students have honoured the memory of a child who perished in the Holocaust before having the chance to reach this important Jewish milestone.

The Holocaust Centre’s Twinning Program enables bar and bat mitzvah boys and girls to share their special day in memory of a young Holocaust victim by having them select a child with whom to twin. Once they have chosen an honouree, each youngster conducts extensive research about his or her twin and writes about his/her history, background, town and fate. The Toronto youngster also makes contact with a friend or relative of the child who died in the Holocaust, who acts as a mentor to the student.

Recently, graduates of this program were honoured at the Lipa Green Building.

Survivor Bill Glied, who mentored his own grandson, Brandon Glied-Goldstein this year, spoke about his personal sense of gratitude.

“Thank you to the grandparents, parents, but most of all, to the kids, for all that you have done for the noble cause of remembering those who died in the Holocaust," he said. "Promise yourselves that your grandchildren and your great-grandchildren will remember, so that we, as a people, will live forever.”

Ariela Ravek, who had her bat mitzvah this summer, traveled with her family from Ottawa to address her fellow graduates.

“Participation in the Twinning Program was much more than research and education for me,” said Ravek. “It was a way for me to connect with my family. It was a remarkable way to bring to life the 1.5 million children who perished in the Holocaust.”

For more information on this and other youth educational and volunteer opportunities at the Holocaust Centre of Toronto, please contact Mary Siklos at 416.635.2883 ext.301 or via e-mail: bnaimitzvah@ujafed.org