Saved by an Angel: Youngest Oskar Schindler Survivor to Speak in Richmond, British Columbia

May 6, 2010 - PRLog -- Richmond, British Columbia -- Chabad of Richmond -- For many decades Leon Leyson never found the words to describe what he endured and witnessed in Krakow’s Jewish ghetto. But after Steven Spielberg’s award winning movie “Schindler’s List” detailing Oskar Schindler’s heroic humanitarian act that saved the lives of 1,200 Polish Jews, Leyson felt obligated to tell his story.

Leib Lejzon (now Leon Leyson) was only 13 years old when his father convinced businessman Oskar Schindler to let his son work at his enamelware factory as a desperate attempt to escape the escalating terrors facing Jews in Krakow, Poland as religious discrimination had revealed planned assignment of Jews to the Nazi work camps.

Hosted by Chabad of Richmond (http://www.chabadrichmond.com) , Leyson will deliver his highly acclaimed speech, “Saved by an Angel”, at the Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel on May 10, 2010. Leyson is the youngest survivor of “Schindler’s List”, a list of workers who were kept off the trains to Auschwitz and employed by Schindler. Leyson will talk about Schindler, his experiences in Krakow Jewish ghetto and life in the Schindler factory.  

Now 80 years of age, Leyson acknowledges that he speaks more often than he would like to about his Second World War experiences.

"I'm getting more and more requests to speak. I know the secret. It's something to do with supply and demand. Fewer and fewer people are still alive, and there's more and more interest in it."

Rabbi Baitelman, Director of Chabad of Richmond commented:
“We welcome Leon Leyson, whose courage to speak about horrors most of us would prefer to forget, to teach us how the shared humanity of individuals can prevail against those who construct systems of inhumanity.”

As Chabad of Richmond will be hosting a course, offered by the Jewish Learning Institute, which coincides with Leyson’s talk, registration for the course will include admission to the “Saved by an Angel” lecture by Mr. Leyson. The course title is: “Beyond Never Again: How the Holocaust Speaks to Us Today.

To purchase a ticket or for more information on Leon Leyson’s “Saved by an Angel” speaking engagement, visit Chabad of Richmond website (Chabad Richmond.com/Leyson), the Chabad of Richmond Facebook page (events section) or call 604-277-6427.
http://www.chabadrichmond.com/

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Established in 1998, Chabad of Richmond runs and sponsors numerous activities, programs, and services. To date, Chabad of Richmond has instilled thousands of children and adults with a love of Judaism and the desire to incorporate Jewish ritual and tradition into their lives, as well as offered friendship and support to people facing crises and personal challenges.
From humble beginnings, Chabad of Richmond is an evolving and expanding community centre, family oriented synagogue, education institution, social-services provider, Hebrew school and more. With a dedicated team of professionals, teachers, rabbis, and volunteers, Chabad of Richmond has helped revolutionize the face of Judaism in Richmond. Chabad of Richmond touches people’s lives every day.

Chabad of Richmond’s mission is to reach out to Jews of every background and affiliation. Non-judgmental and unconditional in philosophy, Chabad’s doors are open to all.