A Message of Resilience: Rita Starkman Shares Her Holocaust Journey
By Ethan Starkman
On Tuesday, CDS welcomed guest speaker Rita Starkman, the grandmother of Ethan ‘28, who talked to the Grade 10 students about her experience growing up in Poland during World War II.
Students were truly engaged in this presentation, and hearing a firsthand account of the horrors of the Holocaust really touched them emotionally. Born in Poland in 1941 to a Jewish family, Rita shared her memories of being a little girl during the war, including being adopted by a Christian family. She spoke about the sacrifices she and her family endured, and how some survived the war while others perished in concentration camps.
Rita talked about the legal battles and court cases that ultimately reunited her with her biological parents in 1946 and how they ended up immigrating to Canada. With the Holocaust taking place more than 80 years ago, the opportunity for students to hear directly from a survivor is becoming more and more difficult, and we are very thankful for this opportunity.
As Jews around the world celebrate Passover, Rita offered two parting messages for us all: "Everybody should try and be a good person. And always remember to love your family."
Land Acknowledgment
The Country Day School wishes to recognize and acknowledge the land on which the school operates. Our nearest Indigenous Nations are now the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Chippewas of Georgina Island. The Dish with One Spoon Wampum covenant is often cited as an example of the shared responsibility for caring for these lands among the Huron-Wendat, Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples who would call these their traditional territories. CDS respects the relationship with these lands and recognizes that our connection to this land can be strengthened by our continued relationship with all First Nations, by acknowledging our shared responsibility to respect and care for the land and waters for future generations.
School Information
Junior, Middle and Senior Schools
13415 Dufferin Street, King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
13415 Dufferin Street, King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
