As we approach Holocaust Education Week this November, we reflect on the harrowing experiences and remarkable resilience of Holocaust survivors. Through our Holocaust Survivors Services Program, funded by the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, or Claims Conference, we are honoured to provide home and community support to individuals like Reny Friedman and Irene Kurtz, who have faced unimaginable trials and emerged with inspiring stories of hope and perseverance.
Reny Friedman: A Journey of Survival and Rebirth
Reny Friedman was born in April 1937 in Heerlen, Netherlands. As the Nazi regime began its onslaught against the Jewish community, Reny and her twin brother, Leo, were forced to flee with their family to Belgium. The family navigated a perilous escape, relying on the underground network to evade capture. Her mother was captured and send to Auschwitz. Her father hid Reny in a convent and Leo on a farm, fearing for their safety amidst rumours of horrific experiments conducted on children in the camps.
After the war, Reny was reunited with her parents and brother, although the emotional toll was immense. She immigrated to Canada in 1955, where she built a new life, married fellow survivor Henry Friedman, and raised a family. Today, Reny lives in Toronto, where she continues to share her experiences and advocate for Holocaust education.
For a more in-depth look at Reny’s journey, watch her full story here.
Irene Kurtz: A Survivor’s Legacy
Irene Kurtz was born in 1928 in Warsaw, Poland, and faced the horrors of the Holocaust at a young age. At just 11 years old, she and her family were forcibly relocated to the Warsaw ghetto. During a selection process in 1941, Irene was separated from her mother and sister, who would never return. Her two older brothers fled to join the Russian army, leaving Irene alone with her father.
In April 1943, amidst the Warsaw Ghetto uprising, Irene’s father hid her in a bunker before he vanished during a work assignment. Captured by a Nazi officer, Irene was sent to the Majdanek concentration camp, where she endured unimaginable suffering for two months before being transferred to a labour camp in Skarzysko, where she remained until liberation in 1945.
After the war, Irene eventually settled in Canada. She married Jack Kurtz and together raised three sons, welcoming numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Irene has dedicated her life to sharing her story and educating others about the Holocaust, ensuring that the memories of those lost are never forgotten.
For more about Irene’s life and legacy, you can view her testimony here.
Our Commitment to Holocaust Survivors
Both Reny and Irene exemplify the strength and courage of Holocaust survivors. Through our Holocaust Survivors Services Program, we provide vital resources and support to help them live with dignity and peace. Our services include social support, healthcare assistance, and community engagement, all designed to honour their experiences and promote healing.
As we observe Holocaust Education Week, let us remember the stories of survivors like Reny and Irene, who remind us of the resilience of the human spirit. Their experiences teach us the importance of compassion, understanding, and standing against hatred in all its forms.
