You are cordially invited to attend an event

Commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Jewish Legion at Fort Edward National Historic Site Windsor, Nova Scotia

Sunday, September 23, 1-4 pm

On behalf of the Jewish Legion Centennial Society and the Town of Windsor, you are cordially invited to an event commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Jewish Legion that trained at Fort Edward during the First World War in 1918. The soldiers of the Jewish Legion included David Ben-Gurion, who would become ’s first prime minister. The Society will be unveiling its plans for a permanent Centennial Pavilion to honour the soldiers of the Jewish Legion and to recognize this unique and important part of Canadian history. The afternoon will include special presentations and performances by local artists.

Fort Edward National Historic Site Windsor, Nova Scotia Sunday, September 23, 1-4 pm Ceremony: 1:30 pm followed by light refreshments

RSVP by September 20, 2018 [email protected] 902-798-6679

With support from The Atlantic Jewish Council Fort Edward National Historic Site and the Jewish Legion

Strategically situated on a hill overlooking the confluence of the Avon and St,Croix rivers, an area known to the Mi’Kmaq and Acadians as Pisiquid, Fort Edward was established by the British forces in 1750. After the disastrous Halifax Explosion on December 6, 1917, the Imperial Recruiting Depot transferred from Halifax to Fort Edward including the Jewish Legion.

In 1918, recruits from across Canada and the United States assembled at the Imperial Recruits Depot at Fort Edward, in Windsor, Nova Scotia. One of the recruits, David Ben-Gurion, later the first Prime Minister of the State of Israel, wrote of his experience at Fort Edward:

“In Windsor one of the great dreams of my life - to serve as a soldier in a Jewish Unit to fight for the liberation of Israel (as we always called ) became a reality and I will never forget Windsor where I received my first training as a soldier, and where I became to a corporal.” (~Ben-Gurion, 1966) 1918 - David Ben-Gurion photographed in Windsor.

This diverse group of Jewish soldiers would unite to become the foundation of Jewish national aspirations in both Israel and North America.

In 1917, the British War Office approved the raising of a Jewish military contingent for active duty in the First World War. This formation, included the 38th, 39th, 40th and 42nd of the , became known as the Jewish Legion

On July 1, 1918, the Jewish Legion marched publicly for the first time in Windsor, Nova Scotia, under the Star of David to celebrate Dominion Day. The Jewish flag flew with flags of Canada, England and Australia.

Please join the Jewish Legion Centennial Society and the Town of Windsor in Commemorating of the Jewish Legion at Fort Edward National Historic Site Windsor, Nova Scotia

Sunday, September 23, 2018 from 1-4 pm