- J
Summary: our hope is to welcome 97-year-old Holocaust/Auschwitz survivor Nate Leipciger to speak in Fort Frances (and surrounding area) this October. Please read the story below, help to spread the word, and contribute as you are able: your donation is key to helping make this happen!
Here is a video of his story:
Here is a link to learn about his book:
Here is a recent article about him receiving the Order of Canada:
And here is my personal story with him:
"Hi there,
My name is Ben Mast. A few years ago, I began conducting interviews with Holocaust survivors (among others) as part of a personal passion project: a podcast (still in progress) entitled Voices: The Past Within Our Present.
One of the first survivors I interviewed is an amazing Canadian woman named Eva Kuper, and while listening to a different podcast a few months after speaking with her, I happened to recognize her voice: advertising an event called March of the Living.
March of the Living is an annual program that brings thousands of people to Poland to educate them about the Holocaust in the very places where it happened, culminating with a march from Auschwitz to Birkenau alongside Holocaust survivors. And with my father Mark Mast, we decided to participate.
The months that followed were spent learning and preparing, and as I did, I was introduced to the story of another Canadian named Nate Leipciger: a 97-year-old survivor of Auschwitz (and other camps) who has participated in the march for many years. At the 2024 event, he was involved directly in the ceremony, and so I hoped to see him on the stage again this year – though of course nothing more than that.
Fast forward to April 24: Holocaust Remembrance Day and the time for the March of the Living.
While our group was standing waiting to pass under the gate of Auschwitz I, I looked over – and there was Mr. Leipciger! Hesitating, I went over to introduce myself, and even though I urged him to remain seated, he stood up to shake my hand and embrace me with a hug.
I thanked him for his strength in being there at 97 years old, and shared that as a Christian, I wanted him to know that there are many of us who stand with him and with the Jewish people. I also mentioned in passing that I'm a Canadian too... and that's when something amazing happened.
He shared that he was from Toronto, and then he asked where I was from, to which I replied, "Rainy River." Now you have to understand: even though we both live in the province of Ontario, these places are more than 1,800 kilometres apart. Toronto is a city of millions, while Rainy River is a tiny town of fewer than 800. Most people (even Canadians) have never even heard of it, much less ever been to it.
But Nate said, "Oh of course! Rainy River! Sixty years ago, I worked in engineering on the hospital there – as well as the hospitals in Atikokan, Sioux Lookout, and Fort Frances."
...
That last one is the hospital where I was born. The hospital where, just a few months ago (on October 8, 2024), my firstborn son Henry was born as well.
And it took coming all the way to Poland – standing beneath a gate which represents so much horror and cruelty and pain and death – to discover the role that this man and his survival through the hell of Auschwitz played directly in my life... and not only in my life, but in the new life of my son. And what a gift to be able to share that with him and to thank him.
His daughter passed along their contact information, and in the months since, we have been working on plans for him to come and speak in the Rainy River District sometime this October. And if you have read this far, this is where I am humbly requesting your help in any of a few different ways.
...
1. Would you consider contributing to help cover their travel expenses? (This is not a for-profit trip, but merely covering their costs to make it possible.) If you are willing to contribute – and no amount is too small – simply donate to this page! If the trip is unable to take place, your donation will be refunded.
2. Would you please share this fundraiser (online and by word-of-mouth) to help bring awareness to this amazing opportunity?
3. If we are able to cover the necessary costs and the time comes for his visit, would you please help to spread the word? And above all, come to hear his story for yourself!
We want as many people as possible to hear his testimony, a testimony that is especially important because opportunities to hear it firsthand are quickly running out.
For Mr. Leipciger to travel all this way at 97 years old speaks volumes about both his character and the urgency of his message, and I hope that we as a Rainy River District (and beyond) can honor his commitment.
I am still completely blown away.
