The Jewish War Veterans of Canada Memorial

(Scroll down to view images)

Jews have served in many of the wars fought by Canadians, both before and after Confederation.  Schomberg, Ontario was so named to honour Colonel Alexander Schomberg, a Jew who was captain of the ship that brought essential reinforcements to the British forces besieging Quebec City during the Seven Years War.  It was on account of his valour that he was subsequently gazetted as one of the Aides de Camp of General James Wolfe.  Jews continued to defend Canada valiantly during the War of 1812, and to stand and die for the ideals of parliamentary democracy at the time of the Rebellion of 1837.

Four thousand Canadian Jews enlisted in the various armed branches of the Canadian Forces in World War I.  During the Great War, over 100 member of the Jewish faith were killed, many received wounds, and 84 were decorated for bravery and meritorious service.  It is neither commonly known nor appreciated that during the Second World War, out of a total population of Jewish Canadians numbering some 167,000 men, women and children, over 18,000 served in one or more of the branches of the Canadian Armed Services.  Of that number, 423 sacrificed their lives.  This, no doubt, was one of the greatest per capita contributions of any ethnic or religious group in Canada.  Many of those who served did so with great valour and distinction, resulting in awards for distinguished service and conduct far beyond their proportion in terms of population. 
To date, no memorial or monument has been erected to honour their memory. 

It is entirely fitting that the names of the notorious death camps be remembered.  But who, save a few, recall those Jews who fought for Canada and for freedom, laying down their lives at Ypres, Vimy, Ortona, Hong Kong, Dieppe, the Scheldt, Juno Beach, and in other battles.  Even now, in the first decade of this 21st century, the spectre of evil once more raises its voice against Jews, questioning their history, loyalty, and contribution to Canada.

It is, therefore, imperative that we remember in perpetuity those Canadians of the Jewish faith who participated in preserving liberty's cherished institutions, both before and after Confederation, by serving in the Armed Forces of Canada and its Allies in the South African War, World Wars I and II, Korea, and in subsequent peacekeeping operations.  Across time and in the far flung citadels and theatres of war, wherever freedom's will to survive was tested, Canadian Jews were and are present zealously guarding justice, humanitarian values, their nation, and religious freedom.

In addition, the Jewish War Veterans of Canada remember and pay tribute to those who fought as Partisans, Ghetto Fighters, and as members of the Resistance in Nazi Occupied lands during World War II.  Let it be forever remembered that wherever and whenever the enemies of democracy were or are engaged, whether on land, in the air, or by water, Jews were and are always found fighting for democracy and freedom.

Our duty to remember these brave men and women has been acknowledged by the City of Toronto, which has graciously agreed to provide the Jewish War Veterans of Canada with a generous parcel of land located in Earl Bales Park (Bathurst Street and Sheppard Avenue) for the dedication of a Jewish War Veterans Memorial ("JWVM").  This Memorial, which has been designed by noted international architect Daniel Libeskind, and named by him "Flames of Memory," will forever commemorate the glorious dead of our beloved nation who laid down their lives so that succeeding generations could enjoy the fruits of freedom and democracy.

The Jewish War Veterans Memorial Committee
Joel Wagman, Q.C., Chairman
Mr. Lou VanDelman, Executive Director
Dr. Joseph Levy, Ph.D., Director of Research

DEDICATION SPEECH BY MR. JOEL WAGMAN FOR THE JEWISH WAR VETERANS' MEMORIAL

OCTOBER 31, 2004

(Click on images to enlarge them)

We are gathered here today, in this lovely park on this splendid Ontario autumn morning to dedicate this land in perpetuity, for the erection of a Memorial to honour the memory of those men and women of the Jewish faith, who served their beloved Canada - as soldiers, airmen and sailors in the wars and conflicts of this nation both before and after Confederation.

Moreover, we especially remember on this day - those valiant persons no matter what their faith who never returned from their duties - those who gladly and willingly sacrificed their most precious possessions - their lives - in defense of democracy and the undiluted principles of liberty and justice - in defense of a Canada - free of oppression by reason of religious belief, creed or heritage.

Words such as these have been said and reiterated countless times in diverse places across the length and breadth of our country since November 1919. Words of remembrance - which are never trite - never redundant - words, which nevertheless, are always inadequate to express to the fullest - the thoughts, emotions and feelings that reside in our inner most places and parts. And that is because they are merely words. Yet, words of remembrance are our only way to express gratitude for the gift of this day - a day - this very day, which we would never have had without the service of our veterans - without the death of so many in the cause and struggle to preserve our nation from and against the evil malevolence of Nazism which sought to crush the promise of this land to its people. A promise that unequivocally said - then, as now - that this is a nation - which would neither know nor tolerate any belief or movement, that would single out a people comprising a part of the fabric of our nation - for punishment or extermination - simply because, they and their ancestors were Jews.

In 1939 from Newfoundland in the east to British Columbia in the west there were 160,000 Jewish men, women and children of which over 17,000 - a substantial part of Jewish manhood - volunteered for service. And they were eager and glad to do so.

For them, there never could be any resolution - with the enemies of Canada - with the Nazis and Fascists other than complete victory. For they knew that the struggle (known as World War II) did not begin when Nazi Germany invaded Poland in September 1939. But, indeed, had begun in January 1933 when Hitler and Nazism came to power in Berlin. They knew of the Nuremberg Laws. They new of Krystalnacht. They knew of Buchenwald. They knew of Nazi, virulent murderous Anti-Semitism. And because they knew of those things - for them, there could be nothing other - or less - than total victory. For while, a negotiated peace and certain occupation - between Britain and the Nazis - would end the war for the British - that notwithstanding, British Jews would be exterminated. For they knew wherever the Nazis had gone or conquered - be it France, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Belgium or Holland - that the French would survive and live, the Dutch would survive and live, the Belgians would survive and live, the Czechs would survive and live, the Austrians would survive and live. But, Austrian Jews, Czechs Jews, Dutch Jews, Belgian Jews and French Jews would die horrific deaths. And, they also therefore knew that the same slaughter would happen in Canada. And, so they joined in their thousands - the armed forces of Canada - not only as proud Canadians - but also, as determined Jews - and not only to preserve Canada - and its way of life - but also to preserve their identity and beliefs as Jews.

That was then - that was 1939 in Europe - that was 1941 in Asia - that was 1950 in Korea - that was 1960 in Cyprus - that was the 1990's in Africa and the Balkans. But now, in this year - in 2004, an old enemy - an old evil - regenerated - reinvigorated - by its overt uncompromising hatred of both Jews and democracy - once more stalks the earth - bestrides the continents, and lurks and speaks in the Provinces of Canada. That enemy is amongst us - and, that enemy will remain until totally and forever defeated. That enemy is Terrorism: Terrorism: Terrorism. It is our undeniable and unforgiving enemy, for it stands for the same things against which our glorious dead died. The unremitting object of Terrorism is the same as that of Hitlerite Germany and its Axis - and that is to extinguish democracy, vitiate liberty and exterminate Jews.

And so - we, the Jewish War Veterans of Canada dedicate this land for a Memorial - a Memorial, not only to remember our Jewish servicemen and women and their valiant struggle against the evils of the past and to preserve Canada - but also we dedicate this Memorial as a symbol of our present resistance to Terrorism - a resistance - nay, a daily war - that as well - can know no other outcome other than the total and complete defeat of those who would vanquish us and our way of life.

And now I harken to the words of Senator Zel Miller of Georgia, who said at a recent American political convention:

"It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who has given us the
    freedom to demonstrate.
It is the soldier, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the soldier, who salutes the flag, serves under the flag
    and whose coffin is draped by the flag."

May the Lord bless the memory of our never-to-be forgotten dead comrades who gave their lives in war so that we could live in peace: May the Lord bless our Canadian servicemen and women in Afghanistan and where-ever their port, post or station, be: May the Lord forever bless, our beloved Canada - Amen.