The chilling new Toronto Holocaust museum is ready for a post-survivor world

The new $30-million dollar Toronto Holocaust Museum officially opened on June 9, with some of the Holocaust survivors who worked so hard to make this facility a reality in attendance. Nate Leipciger, 95, cut the ceremonial ribbon and dedicated the new museum to his late parents and sister, Polish Jews who were deported to Auschwitz. (His father did survive.) The new Toronto Holocaust Museum uses modern technology, including augmented reality, to put the voices of the survivors front and centre for visitors—an especially important feature as Holocaust education is approaching a “post-survivor” world. Ontario’s premier, Doug Ford, and other politicians and dignitaries toured the facility at the grand opening. Ford was visibly moved, calling on all Canadians—Jewish and not—to visit and “get educated on what happened. It’s chilling, to say the least.” Ontario will grant $500,000 for more educational programs and extra security at the new museum. The CJN Daily was given a private tour of the new museum, and, as you’ll hear on today’s episode, host Ellin Bessner found it an incredibly emotional experience.

What we talked about

• Read Lila Sarick’s print feature on the new Toronto Holocaust Museum in The CJN
• Watch the museum’s grand opening on YouTube
• Visit the new museum or learn more virtually on their website
• Hear about the early months of the museum in _The CJN Daily from 2022

Credits

The CJN Daily is written and hosted by Ellin Bessner (@ebessner on Twitter). Zachary Kauffman is the producer. Michael Fraiman is the executive producer. Our theme music is by Dov Beck-Levine. Our title sponsor is Metropia. We’re a member of The CJN Podcast Network. To subscribe to this podcast, please watch this video. Donate to The CJN and receive a charitable tax receipt by clicking here.