Finding some semblance of justice and healing through storytelling - the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau.

I had the honor of attending a book launch for 'Kalman & Leopold', a journey recounting the memory of two young teenage Jewish boys who were held at Auschwitz-Birkenau for six months until its liberation; and were subject to Mengele's experiments on twins. The two men found each other again in the early 2000s, 50 years after they had seen each other last. Richard K. Lowy, son of the titular Leopold, authored this book and produced the accompanying film 'Leo's Journey' narrated by Christopher Plummer.

Lowy donned his father's tallit and referenced his siddur as he spoke of the importance of honoring memory through storytelling, as an author and producer, but more than that, as a son. As a survivor's son, as Leo's son, Lowy delivered on the promise of future hope and fulfillment for the children of persecuted persons through his storytelling passion. It is a duty to remember, despite some survivors choosing not to tell their stories so as to not burden their loved ones.

These commemoration events allow us to reflect on the depth and depravity of evil, and the disassociation and dehumanization that make it possible. Lowy recounts an event where Kalman and Leopold served drinks to officers at a Christmas party, somehow only steps away from the horrors on the other side of those walls.

Candles were lit to honor the Holocaust survivors present, as well as the memories of the loved ones of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation survivors. Music was sprinkled throughout the event. A violinist played as we got situated, we heard a funeral prayer and Lowy insisted the crowd join him in singing a rendition of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah that led on guitar; and we ended, like always, with the Hatikvah.

Whenever I attend solidarity and community events within the Jewish community in Vancouver, I always walk into a vibrant and lively space full of people who will share jokes, family anecdotes, and survivors' stories from every generation. This time, the gentleman I sat next to gave me an important anecdote and life lesson. He told me he was always good at making people smile, and that he incorporated that into his life philosophy. He asked me, 'What's the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?' 'You pray?' I answered. He told me what you do is you look in the mirror, and you smile. That way two people are smiling at the start of the day.

He says 'You gotta put in the smiles to get the miles'. Amen.