Ength, Their Ability to Cope and Build New Lives
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New Lives Contents New Lives: Theme Overview 1 Artifacts Letter from the Ministry of Citizenship & Immigration 2 Vancouver, 1950 4 Driver’s License 5 Newspaper article 6 Vancouver, 1952 8 Student card 9 Wedding photograph 10 War Orphans Project children 11 New Lives: Theme Overview Those who came to Canada as part of the War Orphans Project found themselves scattered across the country, some in the larger cities, others in smaller communities. In some cases, there were incompatible differences between the orphans and their host families. These orphans made several moves to other homes before they were finally settled. However, most of the families provided a secure base from which the orphans could begin their new lives in Canada. Many of the orphans formed lifelong bonds with their foster families. In many cases, social workers and members of Canadian Jewish Congress also played central roles and went beyond their professional duties to help these young people. In the 1950s, psychiatrists and psychologists often viewed survivors as traumatized people who were expected to have difficulties adjusting. At first, some of the young survivors demonstrated unusual behaviours such as hoarding food. They required time to unlearn these behaviours that they had adopted to cope with their environments during the war. Despite their appalling early experiences, there was an almost complete lack of juvenile delinquency or crime within this group of refugees. The orphans often cite the security and love of their early pre-war lives as the basis for their inner strength, their ability to cope and build new lives. In the end, these orphans displayed a resilience and an ability to adapt that was remarkable. Familiar with several European languages, they learned English quickly and many continued their education or found jobs and achieved inde- pendence. At first some of the orphans felt excluded by Canadian young people of their own age. Many formed close- knit groups among themselves, helping one another, socializing and often marrying one another. The impetus to create families and homes of their own was part of a fundamental need to replace what had been destroyed during the war. Most married, had children and later grandchildren. Today, they remain productive members of their communities and immensely appreciative of the country that received them. 1 Letter from Citizenship & Immigration Page 1 of 2: artifact Letter from the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration sent to Robbie Waisman. 7 October 1954. Courtesy of Robbie Waisman. 2 Letter from Citizenship & Immigration Page 2 of 2: description Becoming a Canadian citizen was very difficult in the 1950’s. You really had to study Canadian history. I knew all of the Fathers of Confederation. At my citizenship hearing the judge asked me questions about the provinces, the capitals and the date of confederation. I remember feeling excited and nervous as you would before any exam. The judge was the one who decided whether I deserved to be a Canadian or not. After asking me only three questions, the judge said that he didn’t have to ask me anymore because he could see that I knew my history well and that I had passed. Many immigrants failed because they did not know English well enough and had to try again later. When I received this letter by registered mail I was very proud. It gave me a sense of belonging, to know that I was a Canadian at last. I know that this might seem very lofty but I still feel like that even now, even more so. Robbie Waisman 3 Photograph: Vancouver, 1950 Page 1 of 1: artifact and description Photograph belonging to Esther Brandt. Vancouver, September 1950. I arrived in Vancouver in January, 1948. The family I was placed with in Vancouver wanted me to go to work, but I wanted to go to school. They sent me to a psychiatrist because I was rebellious and they thought I was disturbed. The matter was settled when the psychiatrist told them to put me into school, so they did. Because I spoke French, I started my courses in French with the help of the French teacher at Point Grey High School. In the summer I went to immersion classes at Prince of Wales School to learn English. I went to school during the day and took care of the three children in my foster family in the evenings. After grade 11, I went to the Vancouver Vocational College for a year to become a hairdresser. The college had just opened and I was part of the first class to graduate. They wanted to advertise the new college by taking a photograph of our graduating class behind the letters that spelled out the college’s name on the building. All the other students were older than I was and were petrified to climb up the ladder. I was about eighteen years old. As the youngest I volunteered, and was the first one up to go up. That is why I am standing behind the first letter, the "V" in Vancouver. After graduation I worked as a hairdresser for a couple of years until I married and got pregnant. In those days you were not allowed to work when you were pregnant. I had to quit as soon as I started to look pregnant. Esther Brandt 4 Driver’s License Page 1 of 1: artifact and description Driver’s license belonging to Robbie Waisman. Calgary, 28 April 1951. front back Calgary seemed so new and so friendly to me. I felt a great freedom there. I was astounded to learn that I did not need to carry a passport or identity card with me everyday, like I had in Europe. One day when I wanted to visit another province, I asked someone how to do it. I was surprised to learn that I didn’t need a visa to travel to other provinces and that all that I needed was a driver’s license as identification. I went to a special office and paid one dollar. That is how I got my first Canadian driver's license. Robbie Waisman 5 Newspaper Article Page 1 of 2: artifact Newspaper article kept by Regina Feldman. Vancouver, Spring 1948. 6 Newspaper Article Page 2 of 2: description I arrived in Vancouver in February 1948 at the age of 15. About a month or so later I enrolled in a special class at Prince of Wales High School. Everyone in the class was a newcomer; most of us were child survivors of the Holocaust. The teacher in the picture Mr. Clarke was a very special man. He taught us English - everyday words. He took a lot of time and a lot of patience with us. At first I felt stupid not knowing how to speak English. The other students in the school looked at us like we were from another planet. I felt very left out and very lonely. Mr. Clarke understood our problems. I regret not going back and telling him how much I appreciated what he did for us. I cut out this article when it appeared in the local paper. In the photograph, I am the girl on the far right. Regina Feldman 7 Photograph: Vancouver, 1952 Page 1 of 1: artifact and description Photograph belonging to Sally Zimmerman. Vancouver, September 1952. I was placed with a wonderful family, Dr. and Mrs. Morris. I didn't speak any English but Mrs. Morris took me around the house and taught me the words in English. She had been a High School teacher so she helped me with my school work. The Morris's had three daughters already, but they treated me like one of their own. I went to school right away. I came in March and went right away to Prince of Wales School to learn English. In September of the following year I went to Magee High School. I had a tough time because I had very little English and I had to take Shakespeare, composition and prose. I studied eight hours a day and Mrs. Morris always helped me. I graduated from high school in one year and then went into Vancouver General Hospital School of Nursing for the next three years. I had always wanted to be a nurse, even before the war in Poland. My grandmother had instilled this desire in me. When I received my diploma I could not help but think of my grandmother. It was a very emotional moment for me. Whenever I look at this photograph I think of her. Afterwards, I worked at the Vancouver General Hospital. Later I specialized in head injuries at St. Paul's hospital. Sally Zimmerman 8 Student Card Page 1 of 1: artifact and description Student card belonging to Leo Lowy. Vancouver, 1947/48. front back When I first arrived, I went to Prince of Wales High School. After three weeks I was asked to recite Shakespeare and I did, though with a very heavy European accent. This school pass entitled me to student fares on the bus or train. I kept it all these years because it meant a lot to me. Having an identity card like this one, with my name on it was very important to me. In Auschwitz-Birkenau, I was only known by my number A1295. I started a scrapbook where I kept mementos like this one. Leo Lowy 9 Wedding Photograph Page 1 of 1: artifact and description Wedding photograph belonging to Regina Feldman. Vancouver, 22 October 1950. David and I had lost both our families in the Holocaust. We were both very young and only had each other.