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“Enemy Aliens in Canada” (Canadian WW II detention camps for German Jews from Britain)

July 10, 2022 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Two members of Guelph’s Jewish community will share fascinating family history that took place during yet another dark chapter of the Second World War.

On Sunday, July 10 at 7 PM, Beth Isaiah welcomes Susan Atkinson and David Josephy to talk about “Enemy Aliens in Canada and  Australia.”

The program will be conducted by Zoom (link below).

Early in the war, British authorities rounded up many thousands of resident alien Germans and Austrians, fearful they could be spies. Unfortunately, many innocents – including Jews who’d fled the Nazi regime – were caught in that net, treated as potential enemies. The dragnet expanded to Italians as well. Eventually, Britain deported more than 7,000 internees, even those considered low risk. Most went to Canada, some to

Australia, starting in 1940. And most were Jewish.David’s father was sent to a camp in Northern Ontario; Susan’s father to a camp in the middle of the Australian desert. Susan and David will discuss this shameful episode, including treatment en route and in the camps, and its impact on their families.

Details

Date:
July 10, 2022
Time:
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Event Category: