To honour Holocaust Education Week, Middle and Senior School students were joined by Holocaust survivor, Leslie Meisels, who gave a vivid and powerful recount of his experience as a young Jewish man during WWII. Separated from his family and moved into a concentration camp, Mr. Meisels spoke of the deplorable conditions he faced, the tragic events that he witnessed and of what he recalls as his miraculous survival. It was an incredibly grounding and moving assembly, leaving our community with a very important message from Mr. Meisels: we must never allow hatred into our lives – seemingly small, unkind acts can evolve into something much bigger and we must never be bystanders to unkindness. These are important words for York School students as they carry out our school's mission to develop caring young people who are engaged citizens of the world.
Before Grade 12 students Jacob Sofer and Dylan Wagman welcomed Mr. Meisels to the stage, they reflected on their own eye-opening experience visiting Poland with The March of the Living – an annual educational programme that brings students from around the world to Auschwitz-Birkenau to explore the remnants of the Holocaust.
As a gift, all Middle and Senior School students were given a copy of Mr. Meisels’ memoir, Suddenly the Shadow Fell, so they can continue to inquire and remember this important time in history. Thanks to Mr. Meisels for visiting The York School and sharing his unforgettable story.
The York School is a gender-inclusive JK to Grade 12 independent school located in the heart of Toronto. The York School was founded in 1965 and is the first English speaking school in Canada accredited to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) from junior kindergarten (JK) to university entrance. As an IB World School, The York School's motto is Experience Teaches.