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Both my parents were holocaust survivors who immigrated to
Canada after the war to build a Jewish life together. As I
was growing up, my parents told me numerous stories of the
horrors they experienced during the war, although it was extremely
difficult for them. But the one story that always stood out
above the rest wasn’t really about the holocaust.
This particular story was about my dad arriving in Canada
at the age of 26 with his wife and five year old child. He
got off the boat with $25 in his pocket, no education and
barely able to speak the language, no job and no place to
live. I thought to myself what a terrifying situation…
what would I do? How could I survive? My dad said they couldn’t
have been happier. I asked how is this possible? If I were
in that situation, panic would quickly set in. My dad smiled
at me and said when someone has been through the holocaust
experience, surviving in a country of opportunity is a welcoming
challenge.
What an interesting perspective! There is a very important
lesson we can all learn from this. Everything is a matter
of attitude and one’s approach to life. My parents were
motivated to better their lives. They worked day and night,
and all through the years never lost faith of their Jewish
heritage. They sent all four of their children to Hebrew school,
regardless of the financial burden, kept a Jewish home and
still somehow managed to give tzedukah to their synagogue
and other Jewish organizations. In the end, financial success
was theirs to enjoy, but what they really savoured was the
journey.
It wasn’t until I grew up, got married and had children
of my own that I realized what incredible sacrifices they
made so that we the next generation could benefit from their
wisdom which they silently shared. It is written in Ethics
of our Fathers, “Who is rich?” Answer …”He
who is happy with his portion”. Although my parents never
had the opportunity to read this powerful book of our sages,
they lead by example in all that they did.
A Holocaust Education Fund has been established in memory
of my father, Rubin Tencer, by his loving wife and children,
so that high school students may learn about the tragedies
of the Holocaust.
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