By Cathie Coward (The Hamilton Spectator)

Margaret’s Legacy Holocaust Learning & Jewish Advocacy Centre will work with both boards of education in the city to teach the history of the Holocaust

The official opening was attended by dignitaries, Holocaust survivors, and supporters. The centre showcases artifacts and stories to teach the history of the Holocaust and honour survivors.

Cathie Coward, The Hamilton Spectator

More than 80 people, including dignitaries and Holocaust survivors, gathered Thursday morning at the official opening of Margaret’s Legacy Holocaust Learning & Jewish Advocacy Centre on Main Street West.

The learning centre was envisioned by Gustavo Rymberg and Danna Horwood, the daughter of Holocaust survivors Margaret and Arthur Weisz. The two partnered to make the site a reality.

Gustavo Rymberg speaks to more than 80 people Thursday morning at the official opening of Margaret’s Legacy Holocaust Learning & Jewish Advocacy Centre on Main Street West. 

Cathie Coward, The Hamilton Spectator

Inside the building are beautifully displayed and incredibly moving collections of artifacts donated by local Holocaust survivors and their families. The items help tell the story of Jewish life before the Second World War, through its darkest period following the rise of Nazi Germany when six million Jews were killed in concentration camps, through to the end of the war as survivors rebuilt their lives in many countries, including Canada.

The story of Margaret and Arthur Weisz is told in many of the displays. The couple, who came to live in Canada following the war and raise their family here, were — and their family continues to be — generous supporters to both the Jewish community in Hamilton and to the city in general.

It is the intention that Margaret’s Legacy Holocaust Learning & Jewish Advocacy Centre will work with both boards of education in the city to teach the history of the Holocaust.

Rabbi Jordan Cohen addresses Sasha and Tom Weisz and their daughter Danna Horwood before a mezuzah dedication at Margaret’s Legacy Holocaust Learning & Jewish Advocacy Centre. 

Cathie Coward, The Hamilton Spectator

As one of six rabbis at the official opening, Rabbi Jordan Cohen addressed Sasha and Tom Weisz and their daughter Horwood before the mezuzah dedication at the new learning centre, which is named after Tom’s mother Margaret.

Rabbi Chanoch Rosenfeld, left, helps Tom Weisz hang a mezuzah on the main door, as Sasha Weisz and Holocaust survivor Ernie Mason watch. 

Cathie Coward, The Hamilton Spectator

The mezuzah is a parchment inscribed with Hebrew verses from the Torah and is placed on the doorways of Jewish homes. It is hung on a slant to represent a willingness to compromise and is believed to make a house a home. Mezuzahs were hung on all doors leading into the learning centre with the help of the gathered rabbis, and Holocaust survivors Ernie Mason and Alexander Rosa.

Yolanda Czyzewski-Bragues, left, talks with Paula Baruch near the case where Czyzewski-Bragues’ grandfather’s work uniform hangs on display at the Margaret’s Legacy Holocaust Learning & Jewish Advocacy Centre.

Cathie Coward, The Hamilton Spectator

It was an emotional day for many in attendance, including Yolanda Czyzewski-Bragues, who wiped away tears viewing her grandfather Stanaslav Przedborski’s work uniform on display in one of the cases. The uniform was worn by her grandfather the day he was liberated from the concentration camp at Dachau in 1945.

 

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