Daughter of Holocaust and Atomic Bomb survivors tells parents' story at Montreal book launch

MONTREAL - Nov. 17, 2017 - PRLog -- Roslyn's mother, Sonja Franken, survived the concentration camps in Nazi Europe. Her father, John Franken, survived the Nagasaki atomic bomb as a prisoner of war in Japan. They found everlasting love in Canada where they lived as proud Montreal Jews after immigrating from The Netherlands post-war. Roslyn was born and raised in Montreal before moving to Ottawa in 1991.

Their extraordinary life story was the subject of a CBC Gemini award-nominated television documentary called Tea at the Embassy.  Their daughter, Roslyn, wrote a book about their story entitled, Meant to Be, which is currently being adapted for production as a full-length feature film.

The significance of Roslyn's Montreal debut at the Congregation Shomrim Laboker is that her parents were active members of the Congregation and community for many years.

Roslyn Franken's own survival of cancer at age 29 is credited to her resiliency inspired by her parents' strengths in overcoming their struggles.

When John Franken passedat age 94 on June 15, 2016, he was recognized as the last Canadian POW Nagasaki atomic bomb survivor. In 2007, he was awarded the prestigious Medal of Orange Nassau from the former Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands. He received this medal in part for his proud participation in Canada's Memory Project whereby every year for approximately 15 years on Remembrance Day he gave presentations at elementary and high schools to educate Canada's youth about his wartime experiences and how we must never let such a thing happen again.

Roslyn now travels across North America telling her parents' story to diverse audiences including Jewish and other faith-based groups, high schools, colleges, universities, community organizations and more.

"It's so important that I, as the daughter of these two remarkable survivors, carry their torch for future generations. Why? Because there will come a day soon when the aging population of survivors means that there will no longer be survivors to tell their stories. When that day comes, who will be their voice?  I have chosen to be a voice for them to ensure not only that this time in history is not forgotten, but that people, and especially our youths, understand the courage, faith, and triumph of the human spirit so wonderfully displayed by my parents. My parents are powerful role models showing us all how we can go through adversity and still thrive beyond it. Their story also encourages a greater spirit of interfaith and interracial tolerance, community, hope and peace so needed in our world today," says Roslyn Franken.

Roslyn will be available for book signing following the presentation. Tickets are $18.00. Refreshments will be served. Register at www.shomrimlaboker.org, 514-731-6831 or office@shomrimlaboker.org.

For more information about Roslyn's book and presentation and for media interviews, visit http://www.roslynfranken.com, call 613-843-0155 or send email to roslyn@roslynfranken.com.