“We all have to look out for each other, somehow there has to be peace, it doesn’t matter what you believe in or think just get along together… just be nice to one another, help each other.” Anna Leich
January 27th marks International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The day is the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. Many pause for reflection on this day, to remember the six million Jewish victims.
Canada has been shaped by the nearly 40,000 survivors that call this land home. Some of which reside right here in London, Ontario.
Anna Leich, daughter of survivors Louie Kamien and Rae Kamien was born when her mother went by horseback from a Siberian labour camp to a little village in active labour.
After a long, dangerous, and complicated labour Anna was born in the glow of a coal lamp, with no sanitation, medications, or doctor.
One of Anna’s earliest memories is travelling by train from Siberia to Germany.
“For whatever reason that’s the only image I have, doors being open, we were on the train and I saw these flashes of red so I associated it with a kaleidoscope, and I don’t wear red, not because of that but because it doesn’t look good on me.” Shared Leich with a laugh.
Years later Liech realized the fields she saw were fields of poppies. She asked her mother if she had imagined them, but her mother confirmed they were definitely real.
“We got to Germany and we were in a displaced persons camp, and when I googled it (many years later) I found out that it had been a concentration camp. Luckily my mother had an uncle living here in London, Ontario, so she wrote to him… and he brought us over.” Shared Liech.
History has a way of making it seem like we are so far from the horrors that took place. However, some people walk among us who have suffered and lost because of these events, especially through the effects of intergenerational trauma.
“My mother, (had) nobody survived, my father had a sister survive and she actually moved to London.” Shared Leich.
Anna Leich – Credit: Briar Wilson
Talking about the dark things that were endured in the Holocaust was not common, discussing trauma is no easy task.
“My couple of cousins that I did meet, kinda skimmed it rather than talk about it. My mother always told me I ask too many questions so I had to learn to keep quiet… I knew… They had the tattoos from Auschwitz but other than that it wasn’t really talked about.” Shared Leich.
Just two years ago the Ontario Government introduced new and expanded mandatory learning of the Holocaust in the compulsory grade ten history course. The course change will begin in September of 2025, aiming to keep these conversations alive.
“Who wants to believe it? If that really happened, who would want to believe that. It’s very important because nobody should ever forget, to me that’s most important, teach it, speak to my kids about it, my kids are first-generation born Canadians, so no I never forget.” Shared Leich.
Jewish London and Huron University will commemorate the 80th International Holocaust Remembrance Day with an event at the Hyland Cinema. They will be streaming the documentary The Commandant’s Shadow. They will also be releasing a banner for the late London holocaust survivor Louie Kamien. Registration is required at info@jewishlondon.ca
