Celebrating 80 years ...

In her memoir, Renia Perel talks about her arrival in Vancouver in October 1948, where she was met by representatives of Canadian Jewish Congress and placed in a foster home. (See “Perel is a ‘survivor who is blessed’” in this issue.) Earlier that year, in the April 11 issue of the Jewish Western Bulletin, the local committee in charge of the “overseas children project,” gave a status report to the community.

“The halfway mark has been reached in the overseas children project in Vancouver,” they wrote. “That is to say, Vancouver has received 23 Jewish orphan children from Europe – and our quota is between 45 and 50.”

The committee notes that, “With 23 children received, 22 homes have opened their doors – three of these homes have indicated themselves to be temporary and, in one outstandingly generous home, two children, who are brothers, have been placed.

“We must view with respect those who have come forward and we must carefully consider the fact that at present very few homes are held in reserve. Vancouver will probably receive some additional children every month until our full quota is reached. The whole project breaks down without voluntary homes.

“It is well to realize in the light of three months’ experience that even with the greatest of care, a child may not fit ideally into the home in which he is placed,” continues the report. “Foster parents seem to agree that the first six weeks are weeks of confusion on the part of the child who, in some cases, has not known home life for a long period, and adjustment on the part of the foster home. It is essential to keep in mind that too much cannot be expected at first from children who have seen too much of war and have known too much suffering. In occasional cases, changes in home placement must be made. This decision is up to the social worker who visits the homes regularly and has the confidence of the child.

“A number of families are waiting to receive younger children,” concludes the article. “We must face the facts. Very few younger children arrive in Canada. Canadian Jewish Congress informs us that of 80 children who entered Canada in the last group, only two were under 15. Those families who have indicated their desire to make room for a child in their home, must reconsider very carefully and, if possible, must welcome an older child.”

The committee published a list of the families who had taken children from Europe into their homes, indicating that, “Other homes will be published in this paper as they are accepted.”

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