The Current How a bowl of borscht helped a writer confront the Holocaust
Jul 14, 2025
Bonnie Reichert, a Canadian journalist-turned-chef, shares her father's harrowing Holocaust survival story and her own journey with intergenerational trauma. She reflects on a poignant moment over borscht in Poland, where she confronts the weight of her family's history. Reichert explores how culinary traditions foster resilience and connection, revealing the healing power of food in addressing emotional scars. Her transformative decision to attend culinary school serves as a path to self-discovery, intertwining her passion for cooking with her family's legacy.
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Borscht Connects Past and Present
- Bonnie Reichert was reluctant to visit Poland due to the Holocaust trauma linked to her father's past.
- A bowl of borscht in Warsaw unexpectedly connected her to her Jewish Polish origins and her family's history.
Food’s Deep Meaning Post-Holocaust
- Hunger was a profound trauma for Holocaust survivors like Bonnie's father.
- This experience underpinned the deep respect and joy for food he instilled in his family.
Father’s Journey to Edmonton
- Bonnie's father came to Canada as a sponsored war orphan during the "none is too many" immigration era.
- He traveled from Germany to Edmonton, eventually opening a restaurant at age 20.
