The discovery of this shared history adds a new dimension to a friendship that already spanned years. It is a reminder that often stories that seem so separate can intersect in profound ways and you don’t realize until much later why you always felt such a deep connection. Stories like this one remind us that history is not static. It continues to unfold, and connect us, even decades later.

Our community had the privilege of gathering at Churchill Park to mark the installation of Be:longings, a powerful public art installation inspired by the legacy of Raoul Wallenberg and the enduring strength of Holocaust survivors in our own Hamilton community.

A special tribute was dedicated to Benjamin Ferencz, who passed away just days earlier on April 9, 2023. As the last surviving prosecutor from the Nuremberg trials and a key figure in postwar justice, his legacy serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability and the pursuit of justice following unimaginable atrocities.

Margaret's Legacy, represented by Dana and David Horwood, had the honour of being invited to the United Nations by the Abraham Global Peace Initiative and Canada’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Bob Rae, to mark the 74th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The event recognized the contribution of Canadian legal scholar John Humphrey, who played a central role in drafting the Declaration following the Second World War.

This three-day gathering brought together an extraordinary cross-section of voices: educators, students, policymakers, scholars, and community members, united by a shared recognition: antisemitism is not a relic of the past. It is unfortunately a present and evolving reality that demands us to respond.

As organizations grow, evolve, and expand their reach, it can be easy to focus on outcomes, programs, and impact. But moments like this remind us that behind every initiative, every resource, and every step forward, there is a community holding it all together.