ANITA EKSTEIN, child survivor of the Holocaust, will share her personal experiences during World War II. Anita was born on July 18, 1934 in Lvov, Poland. Her parents’ names were Edzia and Fischel Helfgott. Her mother was murdered in the Belzec death camp in October 1942 and her father was murdered in 1943. Anita was hidden in 1942 by a Polish Christian family, then in 1943 by a priest. Anita was liberated in 1945 and came to Canada in 1948 with a surviving aunt.

"Holocaust" is a Greek translation of the Hebrew word Olla meaning "a sacrifice which is wholly consumed by fire." Another expression frequently used for the Holocaust is the Hebrew word Shoah, and in Yiddish Khurbn, which was the term applied to the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem 2000 years ago.

• Visit the website: www.holocausteducationweek.com - November 1-11, 2009 for additional reading
• Download the handbill here »
• CCDP is a member of the Neighbhourhood Interfaith Group. Read more here »
• Sunday Services at CCDP - read more here »

JIM POWER became the 18th Principal of Upper Canada College in August of 2004. Born and raised in Philadelphia, PA, Dr. Power has a Bachelor’s degree in English from the College of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts, a Master’s degree in the Art of Teaching from Boston College, and an Doctorate in Education from Boston University. He also attended Columbia University on a Klingenstein Visiting Heads Fellowship.

As Principal of Upper Canada College, he will speak about his experiences and challenges of shaping learning programs for boys and young men that ignite their curiosity, imagination and passion; helping them to make a positive contribution to the wider culture of today's world. Mr Power will also be available for conversation during coffee hour after the services in the Holy Grounds Café.

A Word from Jim Power At Upper Canada College, we spend a lot of time thinking about the way boys learn and grow, and this understanding shapes everything we do – in the classroom, on our playing fields and in the community. It’s a constant challenge to focus the energy and enthusiasm of boys, but it’s crucial, because we have great expectations for them. We want them to develop in mind, body and spirit, so that they become men of conscience, courage and compassion – men who will make a difference. What could be more worthwhile? Why Upper Canada College? We believe in creating a “small school” – a culture where every boy is known.

• Upper Canada College website »
• Download the handbill here »
• Sunday Services at CCDP - read more here

Mariatu Kamara was born and raised in the west African nation of Sierra Leone. Her harrowing experiences as a child victim of war and its aftermath are the subject of her memoir, The Bite of the Mango (Fall 2008).

Today, Mariatu is a college student in Toronto. She was named a UNICEF Special Representative for Children in Armed Conflicts, which involves speaking to groups across North America about her experiences. Prior to her UNICEF engagement, Mariatu spoke publicly for the nonprofit group Free the Children.

Her professional goals for the future include working for the United Nations, raising awareness of the impact of war on children, and running her own foundation to raise money for a home, and eventually many homes, for abused women and children in Sierra Leone. She is also planning on reuniting several members of Aberdeen’s theater troupe, which she credits with her personal healing. She would like to make this an ongoing project so that she can share with youth the peacekeeping skills that she is learning through her own work with UNICEF and others.

In her spare time, Mariatu likes to listen to music, cook, shop, talk on the phone, watch movies, and go to parties. Most of the time she likes to stay home with family and be with her close friends. She is torn between her love of Sierra Leone and Toronto. She wishes she could live in both places at the same time. See also the Mariatu Foundation here » To download the flier for the CCDP service featuring Mariatu on November 2, click here » [732k pdf]