June 10, 2002

Aging Holocaust survivors and Grade 8 students write book of poems celebrating human spirit

Toronto, CANADA - A group of aging Holocaust survivors and a class of Grade 8 students from the York Region District School Board will unveil a book of poems they wrote together to celebrate the human spirit and help future generations never forget the terrible events of World War II.

On Wednesday, June 12 at 7:00 p.m., members of the Terrace Holocaust Survivors' Group at Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care and students from Ventura Park Public School will celebrate the book's official launch, along with their families.

"Collective Poems" represents the heartfelt feelings of survivors who remain haunted by the unspeakable horrors of the Holocaust, as well as the feelings of young students who are trying to make sense of what happened and aspire to make the world a better place.

"There is no remedy for the pain that survivors of the Holocaust live with, but the insight, intelligence and friendship that these children offered has planted hope beside that pain," says social worker Paula David, coordinator of the Holocaust Resource Project at Baycrest.

Baycrest is home to one of the largest groups of elderly Holocaust survivors. It is highly regarded for its health care expertise in caring for aging survivors who've lived through the horrors of genocide, and their second and third generation family members who may need coping strategies of their own to deal with the passed-on trauma.

"Our children were able to learn difficult life lessons which could not be taught within the four walls of a classroom," says teacher Ilyse Lustig, who worked with David on the book project. "It was enormously gratifying to witness the development of this mature group of Grade 8 students."