Recorded history indicates that many Jewish people sacrificed their lives for Canada. They have a deep and abiding respect for their dead. One of the manifestations for this respect is their tradition of visiting the graves of loved ones, prior to the High Holy Days each year, at which time they recite the traditional prayers (Kaddish), for the dead.
The Jewish Canadian Veterans Memorial gave the families of those Canadian Jewish servicemen killed and buried in Europe or listed as missing in action, a "Matsevah" (tombstone), at which to pay respect for the beloved departed.
The memorial is designed in the shape of an artillery shell split in four parts. The four resulting columns, which are about 18 feet high, are supported at the top by a double Jewish Star which in turn is supported by a central marble column. On this column are inscribed the names of 420 Canadian Jewish soldiers buried or missing overseas.
The four outer columns each have a cut-out and stainless steel symbol. The symbols are as follows:
a) Star of David with the number 256 in the centre, honours Canadian Jewish Veterans represented by the General Wingate Branch 256, Royal Canadian Legion;
b) Maple Leaf, symbolic of all the Canadians who served in the Second World War;
c) Machal 48, represents those Canadians who fought in the War of Independence for the State of Israel in 1948;
d) Symbol, representing the Partisans who bravely fought against Nazis.
Source: Canadian Jewish War Veterans Memorial Park brochure. This memorial is dedicated to the Canadian Jewish war dead. It was erected by the General Wingate Branch 256 Royal Canadian Legion.
